Allow the “joy invaders”
This may seem random, but I have a feeling it may help some of you.
I was putting away a Pyrex casserole pan on the top shelf of my cabinet. I have 6-7 of these nested together up there, and to protect them from each other, I’ve separated them with a napkin or paper towel…
The Pyrex in question is the third smallest in size, so I removed the two smaller ones and fished around up there for the napkins to keep numbers 4, 3, and 2 separated. There I found an old bedraggled snowman napkin, wrinkled from service. And something about that snowman napkin made me happy!
A boost to my spirit and an injection to my memory banks of Christmas cookies and glittering lights flashed for the moment into my being, and I realized I had taken a mini vacation of seconds from the strife, stress, and contention of now. The “happy wash” has lingered, and I am better for it.
Wherever your headspace is, take time NOW, on the cusp of autumn, to ENJOY whatever sweet, thoughtful, even very small thing that manages to bring a smile, and be aware that you have the RIGHT and the RESPONSIBILITY to allow yourself to “joy” throughout your day. This will keep your mental health (and likely physical health) in a better space!
Yes, stuff is happening out there; many of us feel we are in a war zone NOT of our choosing. We must deal with so much that makes us uncomfortable; but for the sake of your soul, allow for joy to break through anyway!
I believe this will help ME to endure; I KNOW there is ALWAYS something to be thankful about, and despite the fact that I will continue to “stand on my post”, keeping watch and praying, I will let joy and gladness invade my moments to aid and strengthen my soul. Don’t discount those little “joy invaders”!
And to clench it all, this is how I choose to see our present struggles, both personal and national: “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison…” 2 Corinthians 4:17
No matter how you view it, you will win if you are in Christ. Might as well embrace the snatches of joy along the way. 🙂
Dorothy
© Dorothy Frick, 2021