This has been the rainiest of seasons for West Virginia. According to the national weather service it has rained 11 out of the 21 days of June. And it’s not the rain I mind as much as the mud in rural West Virginia. Jeepers! I spend more time sweepin’ and moppin’ than anyone should. Between the 2 dogs, a cat, 4 children and 6 grandchildren, and of course the husband, my house isn’t a show place. It’s very well lived in, and that’s how we like it. I have enough stress in my life, I don’t want to have to stress “stuff.”
Any day I’m with them, it’s a good day.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
I will not tell you I have mastered Psalm 118:24. I won’t pretend when Versace (the Jackhuahau, half Jack Russell and half Chihuahua) went hunting behind the house yesterday and came back coated in mud to his belly, I didn’t groan, grab him and take him to the tub immediately. I had just mopped for cryin’ out loud. Neither of us were happy about it, but life happens. I had just gotten home from one doctor’s appointment and had 20 minutes before I had to head to the next doctor’s appointment. In between phone calls, text messages and a dinner my husband had planned on my behalf. Insert smile here.
I have a beautiful 5’x7’ cream and blue rug in my living room by the front door that I love. I have to wash it weekly because the little feet and the big feet make it brown and navy. Drives me crazy! But it’s how we live. Rainy days happen in life, and I have to look behind a lot of gray clouds sometimes to find the sun, but it’s always there.
Three things about that verse that caused me pause this morning.
God made the Day
As my friend Gloria and I traveled to the beach last week, it rained the entire trip. All 7 ½ of it. However, we were too excited about the next 8 days, to concern ourselves with the dreary journey.
Should that not be how we are in life? So what if it’s rained half the month. Do you know where we’re going? Where the sun shines every day and there is no night. And if there’s rain there, it’s probably liquid sunshine. And I’m pretty sure there won’t be mud in heaven!
I spoke to a doctor yesterday, who I adore. But he’s stressing life. And life can be seriously stressful. I’m sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. But I know in my heart that God made every day of my life and allowed whatever comes into it to happen. I really do have a happy place, and it’s in that knowledge.
Rejoicing isn’t optional for successful living
It’s why I can tell people “I’m great!” when they ask how I am and not feel like I’m lying. I really am great, because I choose to rejoice in the fact that I am a child of the Living God and His presence in my life helps me to understand that if I want to fulfil my purpose and be successful in my calling, I have to allow the world to see the absolute joy in my heart because of Jesus.
Gladness will follow
It turns out if your face keeps smiling, the rest of you follows suit. And if you smile long enough the people around you will fall in line too! It’s truth!
So where is your happy place? My happy place is in front of this computer, a sketch pad and many, many markers of every color under the rainbow! If you have the time, share with me your happy place. Let me rejoice with you! Maybe it will give me an idea how to find another happy place.