Finding pieces of joy and sharing them is not always easy, especially for someone who suffers from chemical depression as I do. Though my intellect accepts that there is always joy around us, my emotions have a more difficult time of it occasionally.
Perhaps that is why I chose "Joy for the Journey" as this year's theme. I have to make myself do the hard stuff. And you know what? Life is full of hard stuff; that's part of our reason for being on this earth--to be tested.
As I read what I just wrote, I realize I'm rambling. So I'll try to get to the point. Yes, life is full of hard stuff. But it is also filled with tender mercies, slices of happiness, and miracles.
Joy for today: remembering those miracles.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Day 65, March 6
A couple of weeks ago, my sister and I, both women "of a certain age," went to the movies. A discreet sign at the theater announced that people would be "carded" if they were seeing an R-rated movie. Well, we weren't seeing an R movie, but I still thought it would be nice if the woman at the entrance carded us.
"Aren't you going to ID us?" I asked her brightly.
"What?"
"ID us," I said. "You know, ask to see if we're old enough to see the movie."
She gave me a confused look.
"Jane," my sister said in a stage whisper. "We aren't seeing an R movie."
"I know, but I want to be carded anyway."
Finally, the beleaguered ticket-taker waved us on.
"Some people just don't get my sense of humor," I said to my sister.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Lots of people don't get your sense of humor."
I had to agree. But that doesn't mean I won't ask to be carded again.
Joy today: laughing at myself.
"Aren't you going to ID us?" I asked her brightly.
"What?"
"ID us," I said. "You know, ask to see if we're old enough to see the movie."
She gave me a confused look.
"Jane," my sister said in a stage whisper. "We aren't seeing an R movie."
"I know, but I want to be carded anyway."
Finally, the beleaguered ticket-taker waved us on.
"Some people just don't get my sense of humor," I said to my sister.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Lots of people don't get your sense of humor."
I had to agree. But that doesn't mean I won't ask to be carded again.
Joy today: laughing at myself.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Day 64, March 5
Did you know that your are entitled to personal revelation? You can receive it by asking the Lord to enlighten your spirit, to quicken your mind. That's the easy part, the asking.
The harder part comes with listening. In our noise-filled world, it is easy to forget to listen to the Lord. It is easy to miss His voice admidst the noise of computers, cell phones, i-pads, television, and music. All of these are good things, but they can block out the quiet promptings of the Lord when He is trying to answer our prayers.
Joy for today: listening in quiet.
The harder part comes with listening. In our noise-filled world, it is easy to forget to listen to the Lord. It is easy to miss His voice admidst the noise of computers, cell phones, i-pads, television, and music. All of these are good things, but they can block out the quiet promptings of the Lord when He is trying to answer our prayers.
Joy for today: listening in quiet.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Day 63, March 4
One of my favorite Primary songs is "We'll Bring the World His Truth" by Janet Kapp Perry.
We have been born as Nephi of old
To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught and we understand
That we must do as the Lord commands.
We have been saved for these latter-day days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."
We know His plan and we will prepare.
Increase our knowledge through study and prayers
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.
I love the message of truth and faith. Both seem in short supply today. We are bombarded by un-truths from the media, from politicians, from Hollywood personalities and others as they try to convince us that unrighteousness is righteoussness, that wrong is right, that evil is good.
Does that sound naive? I hope not. I hope it reminds us that the truth exists, despite the lies that some individuals and organizations try to pass off as truth.
Joy for today: hearing the truth and accepting it.
We have been born as Nephi of old
To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught and we understand
That we must do as the Lord commands.
We have been saved for these latter-day days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."
We know His plan and we will prepare.
Increase our knowledge through study and prayers
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.
I love the message of truth and faith. Both seem in short supply today. We are bombarded by un-truths from the media, from politicians, from Hollywood personalities and others as they try to convince us that unrighteousness is righteoussness, that wrong is right, that evil is good.
Does that sound naive? I hope not. I hope it reminds us that the truth exists, despite the lies that some individuals and organizations try to pass off as truth.
Joy for today: hearing the truth and accepting it.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Day 62, March 3
A few weeks ago in church, a lady talked about her and her husband's efforts to save a small bird that was trapped in their window well. After some effort, at last the little bird was able to get out. It reminded me of the story another friend told me about trying to save several baby rabbits who had fallen into their (the friends') deep window wells. Again, they were able to save the rabbits.
I think our Father in Heaven is pleased when we work to save His little ones, whoever they might be. In fact, I'll change that to I KNOW He is pleased. Our world is filled with those who cannot look after themselves, whether it be small animals, little children, or the elderly. The kind of care and compassion and love we extend to them largely determines what kind of people we are.
Joy for today: knowing that there are those who extend themselves to help the helpless and defend the defenseless.
I think our Father in Heaven is pleased when we work to save His little ones, whoever they might be. In fact, I'll change that to I KNOW He is pleased. Our world is filled with those who cannot look after themselves, whether it be small animals, little children, or the elderly. The kind of care and compassion and love we extend to them largely determines what kind of people we are.
Joy for today: knowing that there are those who extend themselves to help the helpless and defend the defenseless.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Day 61, March 2
A couple of weeks ago at church, I noticed a young mother with three little children, ages three and under. As the mother held her baby boy in her arms, the younger of the girls took off running in the other direction. This sweet mother never raised her voice, never grew angry. Quietly, she rounded up her little girl and brought her back to their seats.
I have been that young mother, trying to ride herd on three small children. I was not always as patient as this mother. Sometimes I did raise my voice. And sometimes I even grew angry. I look back and am filled with regret over allowing my frustration to get the better of me.
Perhaps that is why I so admire this mother, who does it all on her own at church. I admire her patience, her sweetness, her quiet demeanor.
Joy for today: watching a righteous mother in action.
I have been that young mother, trying to ride herd on three small children. I was not always as patient as this mother. Sometimes I did raise my voice. And sometimes I even grew angry. I look back and am filled with regret over allowing my frustration to get the better of me.
Perhaps that is why I so admire this mother, who does it all on her own at church. I admire her patience, her sweetness, her quiet demeanor.
Joy for today: watching a righteous mother in action.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Day 60, March 1
"Your Heavenly Father loves you--each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God's love is there for you, whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there."--President Thomas S. Monson
In this time of changing values, changing morals, and an ever-changing world, isn't it wonderful to know that one thing never changes? Our Father's love for us never changes. Like the loving Parent He is, He is always on our side, always there to hold us up when we can no longer hold up ourselves.
To me, the above quote is more than comforting. It is a love-filled reminder that whatever we go through, whatever trials we must endure, the Father knows of them and is there to wipe away our tears, to hold our hand, to wrap a loving arm around our shoulders.
Joy for today: knowing that Father is there. Always.
In this time of changing values, changing morals, and an ever-changing world, isn't it wonderful to know that one thing never changes? Our Father's love for us never changes. Like the loving Parent He is, He is always on our side, always there to hold us up when we can no longer hold up ourselves.
To me, the above quote is more than comforting. It is a love-filled reminder that whatever we go through, whatever trials we must endure, the Father knows of them and is there to wipe away our tears, to hold our hand, to wrap a loving arm around our shoulders.
Joy for today: knowing that Father is there. Always.
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