Still, Still, Still

Something happened Friday that made me "take pause," to speak in old fashioned terms. It snowed. Now, it's no secret that I LOVE snow! I always have. I joke and say if I ever get married again, I want it to be in the snow under a full moon. Don't worry. You won't have to go out and buy a formal overcoat anytime soon. (cue rim shot) In all seriousness, snow is magical! Amazingly everything gets quiet. I was driving home in it, and the roads weren't bad yet. It was just falling, and the trees were covered, and it truly looked like a Winter Wonderland. Because of that, this entire weekend I have felt relaxed, not rushed, not obsessed with what has to be done, not running around too busy preparing for a season making it impossible for me to enjoy. 8 years ago I was in a lovely production of  A Christmas Carol that included the carol, Still, Still, Still. I had never heard it before singing it in the show. Part of the lyrics are "Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow." You have to be still to hear snow falling, not running or rushing around. Friday's snowfall let me be "still." Being still reminded me that this season is about joy! I am happier than I have been in a long time! I am so blessed, and I am going to take time to be still and be thankful for my joy. Can you hear the snow falling?

Make Your Own Joy

I sat in church today, and the preacher said something that struck me. He talked about "waiting for your joy." Waiting for my joy...that concept of, "if I could just get this or that, I'd be happy." I fell into that trap and fell out or was pushed out, when at 34, I had nothing, less than nothing, well, materially speaking. When I was married appearances were a big deal. And for all of our "things" that we thought we needed to look good to everyone else, and we thought made us happy didn't hold our marriage together when it EXPLODED! Oh, we looked happy to everyone else, the perfect couple, the perfect family, and maybe we thought we were, but there was no joy! It took me being in a situation totally bereft of anything except 2 precious children and family and friends surrounding me to help me heal to realize that fact. I have lived single now for almost 20 years. Most of those years I have struggled financially. I haven't had a real vacation in 14 years, but God gives me joy every day! I may not always recognize it, or, worse yet, appreciate it, but my new life has been filled with real joy, the kind you make from what's provided. I titled this post Make Your Own Joy, but maybe it should be Recognize the Joy Given to You. Start looking for your joy. It's there, I promise!