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(If you are receiving this post in email, be sure to visit my blog to read the entire post but also find out how to enter to win the $50 gift pack and how to claim 8 incredible, valuable freebies in just a few weeks!!)
Do you ever feel stuck?
Stuck in a situation you don’t want to be in? Stuck with a problem you don’t like or don’t know how to deal with? Stuck with circumstances you don’t have any control over? Stuck in a life you don’t want to be living?
I have certainly felt that way before, and I talked about this my Proverbs 31 devotion running today called “When You’re Stuck Not Loving Your Life.”
A couple years ago, due to circumstances beyond my control and out of my power to change, I felt stuck. Not only in a difficult situation, but in a new phase of life I didn’t want to be in. A life which was filled with heartache and disappointment and fears.
Perhaps you can relate. Sometimes life just doesn’t turn out like we thought it would, and it stinks. In fact, it’s not fair. It’s not deserved. It’s not right. Questions flood our minds and crush our spirits. Questions like …. What is God thinking? Does He not see? Does He not hear my prayers? Why is this happening? And am I ever going to feel happy again?
We’ve probably all been there at one time or another. It is those times of feeling stuck when we have to choose how we’re going to live our life – in joy or in misery. Are we going to let our circumstances and other people dictate our joy and happiness, or are we going to take control of it and live life with joy? I choose joy – how about you?!
In today’s devotion, I concluded by writing this:
“Life is not always a bed of roses. It’s not always exciting. It’s not always easy. It’s not always fair. It’s not always overflowing with opportunity and adventure. Consequently, we’re all going to feel a sense of unhappiness or discontentment from time to time. But we don’t have to stay stuck there. The life we are living today, and all it includes or doesn’t include, is the life God has given us. We can choose to be content and joyful in it, or choose to be the opposite.”
And it’s so true. If you’ve been struggling to not only live with joy but feel happy and content in your life, then I hope you’ll mark your calendar for July 10th, 2018. Why? Because that is the first day you can pre-order my new book Love Life Again: Finding Joy When Life is Hard! I’m so excited about this message God has given me and pray it equips and motivates so many others to choose to live with joy and take control over their own happiness, rather than let life or people or circumstances steal those things away.
For the very first time, today I’m sharing a list of eight awesome freebies you will receive with your pre-order, if you order your book from Proverbs 31 Ministries between July 10th and July 31st. (If you order from other book sellers, you’ll still receive six great freebies!)
The release date is August 1st and all of the freebies will no longer be available, so put July 10th on your calendar!
If you pre-order your book from P31 between July 10th and July 31st, you’ll receive the following 8 freebies:
– Book Introduction and Chapter One Download
– Companion Study Guide & Group Leader Guide
– Access to a Live Webinar with Tracie in August
– Mobile Phone Lockscreens
– Two scripture downloadable printables
– Audio Podcast of Tracie’s speaking message
– 5 day Happiness Challenge video teaching series from Tracie
That’s a lot of freebies, right?! 🙂 So fun!! If you’re not subscribed to my blog, CLICK HERE to enter your email today so you’ll be the first to know when you can place your pre-order of your copy of Love Life Again and claim all your valuable freebies!
_________________________________________
As promised in today’s devotion, I’m giving away a 3-book gift pack worth $50, consisting of my last 3 books – Stressed-Less Living, Your Life Still Counts, and Unsinkable Faith!!
For a chance to win the gift pack, leave a comment sharing one thing you can do today to bring joy or happiness into your life! Even little things can bring a smile to our faces and sometimes we need a reason to smile!
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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.
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Help another person to smile
Take my ex-mother-in law to the goodwill and to the grocery store. It makes her happy and to know I care about her and love her even though I am not her daughter in law anymore. It will put a smile on her face for sure.
I worked hard cleaning today. It makes me happy when I know I have used my time well.
Let the past go and stop feeling like you are not worthy of being loved.
Sing worship songs throughout the day!
Smile and enjoy God word on this glorious sunshiny day. Sitting and enjoying God word with my daughter this morning. God has brought her through so much and she is still in the word daily
Help bring joy to someone through Christ
I can love people more. ❤
Once a week, I use one of my daily walks to list 100 gratitudes. At first, it sounds daunting, but I keep it simple and thank God for things like the green of the trees and the blue of the sky and all the variety of color in our world. It really is like one thing leads to another and every gratitude is like a whispered praise and it changes the way you view your like, even in the midst of the hard.
Don’t complain to my children about their shortcomings.
One thing I’ve done today to bring joy into my life is praying. It’s even more crucial to pray when you feel disheartened and down about life.
I hope to win this gift set as I need frequent reminders to be positive and stay focused on feeling joy through Christ.
Today I can do small acts of kindness for my mom who just had surgery. I can also slow down, take time to recognize the mighty God I serve, and simply wander at His amazing glory. This always brings me back to reality and helps me to remember He’s fighting on my side and for my good! This changes my attitude completely! It puts a smile on my face and gives me a caring attitude because I know I am cared for! I can start this challenge I heard about and I’ve been meaning to try. Every minute I take a second to pray. A small prayer goes a long way. This brings God into my life on a minute by minute basis, and I long for that intimacy.
Visit my 7 year old granddaughter, Lily Grace!
It always brings me a smile when I volunteer time with my hospice patients. How often I walk in exhausted and discouraged from life, but when I see them smile my spirits are immediately lifted. My perspective shifts, time no longer exists, and my heart is bursting with joy.
Be a bright light shining with God’s Love!!
Remember that things could always be worse.
Remember that things could always be worse and to be more thankful for what I do have.
I agree. I need to smile again. Its been 7 yrs.
I can sit in the backyard for a few moments to watch the squirrels play and listen to the birds chirp.
I’m with you on that one! Isn’t it a joy to see God’s creatures flourishing right in our own back yards?? Hope you have a great day!
I find the best way to bring joy and happiness in my life is to ask the Lord for His continued miracle of His peace, love and joy. I pray for glimpses of the hope to keep going and He never abandons me.
Pray God puts one person in my life today who needs me more than I currently know/think possible.
Enjoy the sunrise.
Deliver Meals on Wheels and take time to visit with the elederly people.
Thank you for serving this way, Kenda! MOW allowed my mom to remain in her own home until she was 97. Bless you!
Spend time with a friend and have dinner with our son! Also praying for a miracle for my dear friend who has just been diagnosed with cancer.
My sister is also dealing with cancer. My prayers are with you all. God bless.
Watching the bunny this morning eating off the holly bushes, brought a smile to my face.
Teaching a young child Gods miracles of transformation with my butterfly garden.
Enjoying the laughter and love in my grandchildren’s’ faces.
Serve wholeheartedly in our last day of VBS and love on these children as well share Christ with them!
Take time to hug my kids often.
Today, I can choose to be thankful for the life I am living instead of the life I want. I can be fully present in the lives of my children and engage with them. I can be the wife God has called me to be. I’m going to be honest, i am craving something different and your blog today was balm to my soul.
I feel the same way! I am not where I want to be and wonder why I am in this place. After raising four children, empty nest has been a struggle.
I have been extremely close to my daughter her whole life. I never dreamed when she went away to college that she’d find the love of her life 1100 miles away and not move closer home!
My son is about to start college too…
I’m using this time to be able to plan things with my husband that would have been difficult before. We’re getting a puppy, we both love dogs. I love my job and plan to work more than part time now.
Focusing on ourselves as Moms is hard but don’t feel bad about doing it…after awhile it will work out. Try one or two activities a week that are fun and get you out of the house…!
I so understand!! Looking for God’s guidance. I have been a stay at home Mom most of 32 years.
Enjoy the beautiful weather.
From cancer diagnosis to God’s healing I start every day thanking Him for my health, strength, and healing. I make a conscious decision to “count it all joy”. God has a plan and I have a purpose. I ask that He use me as His vessel for the day.
On off/down days…I try to find someone to help, pay it forward in some way, leave a little surprise for someone else… Or even just deliberately pass out smiles to strangers. ????
Enjoying the simple things, appreciating creation while walking my dog, and thanking God for each moment.
Watching my dogs frolicking and playing…watching my son play baseball…singing praises to my Heavenly Father
Look at my daughter and see the joy in her little eyes and pure happiness over the little things!
share the hope and faith of Jesus with someone today.
Go outside, take a deep breath and look up at the blue sky
I can hug my babyboy a little longer, be present with him and thankful for Gods great blessing!
Give my full attention to someone else who is struggling. I always feel blessed by opening myself to others but also count my blessings for the things that are wonderfully good in my life
Go to to the vbs wrap up at my church tonight and watch the children have fun! Sit on my porch and watch the hummingbirds
I can play with my children and take time to enjoy their laughter!
Tracie, I love the message God has given you to share with others! It’s so spot on for what so many people need. Thank you!
Be continually thankful. That makes me smile and relieves worry, i just forget to do it.
I can play with my kids!
Be thankful! Just focus on how great God is.
Spend time with God in His Word. Ask God to create in you a clean heart and to open your eyes to the blessings He has given you.
Listening to my kids talk to each other always makes me smile
I will share God’s love! By smiling at someone who looks down, by complimenting someone or by doing good deeds for someone without them knowing it was me ????
When I am feeling down, I try to refocus my attention to God and to other people. Listening to worship music helps, along with thinking of a way to make another person smile!! I have found that when I bless someone else, God blesses me and my whole outlook on life improves!!!
Encourage myself. Get up each day and tell myself I can do this. I am wonderful. I am a Princess of the Most High King. I am…… I can….. I will…..
Intentionally remind myself of where I’d be had Jesus not opened my eyes and rescued me. Remember the truth that because of His work on the cross, He got what I deserve so I get what He deserves! Even when the waves crash over and my circumstances beg me to believe otherwise, if I discipline my thoughts to remember the truth, it brings a smile to my face. Every. Single. Time. Also, eat cookies 😉
Today, I need to inventory the blessings that are present right now and give thanks. Keep me grateful, Lord… So I don’t complain.
Today I am going to work on being thankful!! Thankful for everything He has given me, and try not to worry so much about the little things. Smile….because just a simple smile can brighten everyones day! So today I am going to be thankful and smile!!!!
When I begin to feel discontent I begin to worship the Lord in song. Discontentment is a “battlefield ” of the heart and mind. in the Bible they would send the worshippers ahead to sing praise and make a joyful and loud noise before the Lord prior to the battle. I find that when I keep my eyes on Jesus and align my mind and my heart with his word that those feelings of life not being fair and being discontent begin to fade away.
Spend time being my fully present with my family.
Today I can remind myself that many things I do are a ‘get to’ and change my mindset. I know that God is working in and through me. All the ‘little’ tasks are there to help prepare me for something bigger and each task makes a difference. Today, I Get To cook for my family and am thankful to have a family that loves and serves the Lord! I get to potty train my son because he is growing and I am the one who gets to teach and influence him!
Carve out time to actively use the artistic gifts God has given me. I feel most connected with Him with I paint – and it brings me so much JOY.
Be present in today and live in each moment.
Make a gratitude list every day!!
I will take time today to realize all the blessings In my life instead of focusing on the heartache.
Look at my kids, play with them, make and memories and thank God for their life, energy and health.
Reflect on the blessings instead of the hardships. Praise God for the little things He has given me.
I can throw the football with my son and help my daughter get ready for a mission trip! Thank you so much for this today—I’m feeling stuck in daily routine of laundry, grocery store, cook dinner, clean up and over eating. I needed this today and God’s Word always.
I am excited to share this with a friend!
Giving gratitude for my blessings. Also listening/singing to Christian music.
Spend some time outdoors! The beauty of God’s creation always makes things feel better. Sharing time and appreciating the opportunity to be with my children always makes me smile also! 🙂
Today I can be thankful that God created me, He loves me, and I am here on this earth to serve. I can breathe deep and appreciate whose I am and know that He’s got me in the palm of His hand!
Tell my children what they are doing RIGHT and compliment their positive, God-given traits.
Give someone a reason to smile
I love it when I surprise someone with and How are you today.
Greet my husband happy anniversary even though he hasn’t been home all night
I can let go and let God! Give my worries and stress to Him. Dont have to be anxious today. Enjoy my devotion on the front porch in complete quietness away from everything.
Amen Bethany!
Choose joy. Choose my attitude. Choose my focus. I choose how I respond to my day and all that comes with it.
Smiling at others, giving others compliments, do a kindness for someone. It not only makes them feel good but yourself also.
I will listen/sing to Christian music. At work be intentional about dishing out random acts of joy and kindness.
Life has been hard lately and so many friends have reached out to me. I enjoy making handmade cards. I think sending out a few to brighten others will be nice
Enjoying the simple things, and thanking God for all the blessings in my life.
My child has seizures and cognitive impairment. She recently turn 21 and the fear and uncertainty of what her future will look like is always in the back of my mind. Most days are hard…so hard and so heavy. Despite the seemingly insurmountable mountains we face regularly, I can choose to focus on the positive. I can choose to count my blessings. I can choose to rest in the sovereignty of God. I can choose joy. And when I feel stuck and overwhelmed…I can seek rest at the foot of the Cross.
Praying for you and your daughter.
Hug my kids and tell them I love them
Just think of all the blessing God has given me!!
Ignore the pouring rain that has been coming down for 2 days and be grateful for a home and protection.
A lot of chaos in my life but sitting on my deck and watching the birds by the bird feeders and being out in God’s creation, always makes me smile and brings me to a happy place!
I get to puppy sit this weekend for a friend’s dogs. I love loving them and I love that they love me back.
Watch the sunset and think on all His Goodness
Spending time with my daughters and rejoicing over being able to do that. Rejoice over life, family and bread for today.
Live in the moment and be thankful
Being with my daughter gives me tremendous joy
Take time to notice the laughter I hear from my kids. ❤️
This may sound a little backward today but I’m going to WAIT. This may have just been the best thing in my life today as I have been deep in counsel over leaving my husband. I have been reading book after book after book trying to reconnect. I’ve dedicated to reading the bible front to back. I joined OBS for the first time. I’ve been in prayer to change things to get better at home. Maybe all I needed was this reminder today. So to make myself happy, I am going to please God and WAIT. I’m going to pray differently and ask to be content where I am instead of changing things. If God feels I am in such an unhealthy relationship as I do he will change it, not me. Now i need to find happiness in the wait!!!
I have endured the loss of a 30 year marriage. As I write this I think about the deep joy and closeness I feel with The Father. We can spend so much time trying to fix the pain that we forget that it is God that wipes away our tears. He is standing with arms wide open. Wait I say wait in my presence. And I will give you rest.
Just taking time to be still and enjoy all god has given me and being grateful for what I have.
Determine to praise God for a NEW day of His mercies and never ending kindness before my feet hit the floor!
Speak words of encouragement to the people around me today!
Bring joy and happiness to anyone I cross paths with today at the grocery store, over the phone or someone in my own house. I’ll give a compliment, a smile, a word of encouragement….whatever God puts on my heart. Today will be about others.
I will choose to not let my current work situation bring me down and instead, be thankful for this day that the Lord has given me. “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it”.
I will surrender a problem that has been worrying me for weeks to God and trust Him to handle what is not and never was something I can fix. I will trust Him to let me know if there’s something I can/should do and trust Him with the rest. I will repeat as many times as needed.
While I probably should be writing something super spiritual, I’m going to keep it real. Today I get to find happiness in a road trip with a girlfriend to do some outlet shopping! I’m thankful for this much needed mindless break and fun with a friend.
Remind yourself to wear the wardrobe God created for you ,
Compassion kindness, humility , quiet strength , discipline, and love.
This wardrobe helps change your thoughts ????
This is taken from Colossians 3 (12-14)
The message version
Have a super day Everyone !
Smile at a stranger ???? You never know whose heart you will touch and what battles they are facing . Be a light! Shine bright with God’s love ????
I think just thinking about how good God is to us. He saved us and He allowed our life to be what it is today. I want to be who I am not anyone else. This life I live is what it takes to get my attention!
As I care for my 86-year-old mom and make hard decisions, I can be thankful and choose gratitude today as I trust in God who is far bigger than my problems.
I will choose joy by trusting God and listening to His word speak truth to my heart in my quiet time and by being thankful for answered prayers as well as being thankful and patient in the waiting for answers.
My daily goal is to make someone else smile while at work. It is truly not about myself and I try to remember that daily. It’s not easy, but worth it!
To be nice to every one, smile more and pay it forward for someone.
Pray with faith enjoy my dogs do yoga
Learn gratitude for the small things in life and not allow my current situation to control the way I live out my days.
I can take the focus off of myself and help someone in need and share God’s word with them. Sharing Gods word will remind me of His promises and sharing unconditional love with a friend or stranger will remind me of God’s unconditional love for me.
Putting my “to do list” aside and just being present with my children. It’s the simple things that make a difference.
I can play with my children when they ask. Like right this moment my daughter wants me to play Doctor.
Spend the day with my grandson!
I can slowly sip my coffee while I read a book and get ready to face another fresh day.
Today I will be grateful for all the goodness the Lord has shown me in the past and bask in His Everlasting love ……make banana bread for elderly friend
I try to remember to be thankful for the many blessings I already have and not focus too much on what I dont.
Even when I’m at my lowest, I seek Him in His Word and prayer first thing in the morning, and then I share His Word with someone else who is in need of encouragement. I meditate on His Word throughout the day. It lifts me up and pulls me through!
Give grace …
Be thankful for even the little things, the breath in your lungs, being able to move, dance, run…just the little things taken for granted sometimes.
Sit back and enjoy the kids playing, remembering they will only be little for a short amount of time
I can spend quality time with my family.
I can remember that my children have been given skills and abilities (and a personality) that is perfectly designed for the future, not the present. God is nurturing those things for use in His kingdom for the specific job He has for them.
By living intentionally and in the moment—not missing the things I sometimes think as only little because those are the ones that actually are the big things. Thank you for your encouragement, Tracie. I’m praying for you.
Get out and apply for jobs. I have a part time job put I am looking for full time employment. Applying for jobs is a productive day for me that brings me joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength… Strength to move forward!!!!!
I can visit my mom and mother in law at the memory care and help them with breakfast.
I choose to not live in my past and know that God has a prosperous and Blessed future for me.
To CHOOSE to see His blessings every day…even of I dont feel like I have blessings. Because tho my mind may argue due to circumstances..my heart knows His love, protection and provision.
Today is my 5 year wedding anniversary with my husband. God has blessed me beyond measure with this second marriage. Through those heartaches and pains that happened in my first marriage, holding onto my faith in knowing God is in control of everything and seeking the glory in everything that happens in and around me – I am able to see God’s unconditional love for me.
I’m going to write down 1 thing each day that God has blessed me with.
Call a friend for coffee
Spend time in The Word and in fellowship with God. Today it was Psalm 86 and it spoke directly to my heart. Thank you, Jesus!
Buy a coffee for the person behind me in the Starbucks line
I will only work 8 hours and go home to my kids.
I started your reading plan on the Bible app for Unsinkable Faith. Starting the day on a positive note.
I’m going to choose to be content and trust God’s timing with my life. I’m going to take note of the ‘little things’ that truly are blessings that are overlooked far too often. I’m going to actively show love better– especially to my husband, close friends and family.
I might have the opportunity to “pay it forward” and buy someone’s lunch today! Would love to have these books to read and pass on to someone! Thank you!
I’m a big thinker and it’s usually negative. I pray daily for God to interrupt those negative thoughts and help me focus on all the blessings. Today I will just enjoy the day and try not to think about anything else. It’s a beautiful day!
I always remember, I’m not alone he’s right there by my side
Last night while volunteering at the Teen Preg. center, I was able to share the love of Jesus Christ with one of the girls that comes to the center. I loved on her and I hope put a smile in her heart when I told her of the good News of Jesus and how she can have Jesus in her life. It was an awesome talk.
Just watching my boys play. This post is exactly where I am….thank you for sharing your heart.
Serve my husband today and go the extra mile for him.
Start my day in His word, and then in the words of authors (like you!) that He has gifted to bless others (like me!).
Tape a print out of tracie’s devotional quotes to laundry room cabinets, bathroom mirrors, etc to keep my thoughts aligned throughout the day and protect my ‘heart-itude ‘ from getting bent by life’s bumps & bruises!
Play with my daughters with undivided attention so I am not stressing over the things not getting done at that time.
Do something nice for someone when they least expect it.
I’m planning to cook a meal for an elderly couple at our church and visit another sweet lady who has begun her journey home.
List 3 things I’m grateful for and tell those in my life I’m grateful for them.
Sit on the porch with a good book and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds.
The Lord is good no matter choose to bring our way. God is in control and he will give use the.strenght to control what is in our power with his help just turn it over to God and see the peace and joy he brings to our lives. Let use count our.blessing with thanksgiving.and the Lord will do the rest.
Disconnect from the world before beginning my day… praise, pray, and trust.
I have been so angry and depressed with my life. I’m 51 and feel nothing will ever change. When I woke this morning I had the thought find a situation to help someone today that you do not know. I then went to Proverbs 31 and read your blog. What an eye opener! I need to find my Joy and follow what the Lord shows me in life!
Take a few minutes to study the features of my children’s faces.
Smile and offer a kind word
Take care of some yard projects for my Mom that she can no longer do herself…then sit and have coffee with her
Be positive and smile at work! I am healthy and able to work!
I have been feeling stuck for some time now, like I haven’t gotten to where I thought I would be in life at this point. But in order to bring joy today, I will appreciate what all I have been blessed with. I have a wonderful husband and the sweetest children. Thank you for your words today! They have spoken life into me when I am feeling my lowest.
Reflect on testimony services from back in the day when so many people just thanked God for the things we take for granted everyday. They were so grateful just to be alive and have “a reasonable portion of health and strength”.
Take time to blow bubbles and draw with chalk with my kids outside instead spending yet another day just constantly cleaning, doing household chores, etc.
My sister is coming in from out of town,& it’s also her birthday today! Happy that i get to share her day with her!
I can facetime with my grandchildren ! Nothing makes me happier than them ! And reminds me to stay positive !!
I can focus on my many blessings, my good health at 65, my talents and abilities God has given me and use them to brighten someone else’s day (which makes me happy too) instead of dwelling on my hardships and disappointments in the past.
Enjoy a good book and a lovely cup of tea! ????☕
Give people love in the way that is meaningful to them. Take the time to really listen and pay attention to show people that they matter.
Enjoy a good book and a lovely cup of tea!
I’m choosing to use my time waiting for my daughter to be done her exam to sit by the water, read this beautiful devotion & ask God to help me choose joy
love… just show love… making another feel like they matter
Stop what I am doing and pray to God for strength and peace when this single mom starts feeling weak and running low on fuel.
Tracie you have no idea, but these were the words I needed today. Lately I’ve been telling myself and my husband and God that I feel so STUCK – and into my inbox you came this morning saying that exact thing. Last night I bought a pillow that says “This is my happy place”. I bought it to go with my dream of a new home, but I’m going to find a place for it in my current home where I will see it every day. I will CHOOSE to make this current life my happy place. And I will dust off my gratitude journal to help me focus on truth and not lies. Thank you, Tracie. I’m a work in progress.
To keep focusing on His Word, the Joy of the Lord is my strength ????
Thank You for all of your articles and encouragement!! Means so much to me. God Bless you, Tracie ~ greatly!
To be reminded each day of God’s beautiful creation as I look out the window in my quiet time. Also, laughing and listening to my Grandchildren!!
Spending time with my grandchildren. Brings such joy to me.
I am redoing my daughters bedroom. She moved out almost a year ago and a am a semi empty nester. The room had remained closed up storing the few belongings she did not take with her. This week I began sorting and cleaning to turn the room into a peaceful space for me to do my devotions and school work when I return to college in the fall. I am also starting a blog so the space will be a nice retreat for thinking and writing. It’s time to start loving the space I am in as well as the life I live.
Drinking my morning cup of coffee as the sun comes up!
To focus on the good in my day and being thankful to God for it.
I can go see my grand-daughter perform with 74 other children doing The Greatest Showman.
I can be thoroughly thankful for the husband and children He has blessed me with and find the drive in me to take care of the body that He’s loaning me to the best of my ability! Thank you so very much for the positive and encouraging devotion this morning. As well as your Saturday devotions that I so immensely appreciate. Thank you and God bless!!
Praying for several dear friends who are going through rough seasons & having lunch with a friend today.
To be a blessing and pray for others – take my mind off of myself and the struggles I face
Keep my eyes on Jesus and read the Word. Consistently see where God I’d is working around me.
Just simply smile at those you come in contact with.
Singing and worshipping God gives me great strength, peace and happiness when I’m walking through a dark valley. Also spending time with a dear friend and encouraging each other lifts my spirits. Praying alone and with friends brings that peace that passes all understanding.
I can stay present and awake in each thing I go about this day. Starting with my morning coffee, breakfast I eat, power walking/talking with a dear friend this morning. I can check in with God regularly and enjoy His presence with me.
I can hope I will win your books and trust that if I don’t someone who needs them more will receive them.
Taking a few moments today to quietly take care of a need for someone.
I just sat out in my backyard watching the hummingbirds and talking to God. I thanked Him for giving me everything I have! He is so good to me! When I went through a really hard time He gave me a Hummingbird nest and it gave me a new outlook on my circumstances! He takes care of the birds and how much more does He take care of us!! ????
Accomplish some tasks that keeps weighing me down.
Share today’s message with as many people as I can. It has been a hard 3 years since my husband died from cancer and now that I am retired I help others by telling others that God Loves Them. It took me some time to come to know that God loves me so I share with others that God Loves Them.
I am asking Jesus today to help me be “others” focused. I’m in a “what about me” season and it’s getting old.
Wow! What a great devotional today ♡♡♡♡ thank you for the reminder to find joy where we’re at ♡♡♡♡. Today I am going to admire God’s beauty here in the sunny AZ desert and remember just how big, how beautiful, how gracious and merciful our Amazing Father is ♡♡♡♡♡
Purposefully have fun with my children. Even when I feel discontent and overwhelmed, to see them smile warms my heart.
Today I will turn up the music and worship with my boys 🙂
I can play with my children and watch them laugh.
This was just what I needed today! I often wonder why my husband and I were brought to this town where we feel out of place due to our morals and values. The empty nest has been a struggle for me after raising four children. I love my husband of 31 years with all my heart but he’s not good with the emotional stuff. My bucket often feels empty after doing for others with little in return. I’ve had trouble finding a friend that is can truly confide in
BUT, I do have to remember the many blessings God has given me and not focus on the negative. I know I need to spend more time with God!
Laughing just seems to make all my worries go away and let joy fill my heart!❤️
It’s summertime…mid morning…drinking coffeee and listening to the rain while reading this blog (which is me)…I’m a teacher on summer break and very thankful for this time… time to enjoy these quiet moments and rejuvenate myself… waiting for the rainbow ???? ☺️
Reading brings me joy. Finding a quiet time to read my Bible and dig deeper with the soap method is very important and brings me closer to God who gives me joy.
I called bingo for hospice at an assisted living Home couple of Friday’s ago; really enjoyed it. Went and bought them a new game yesterday because some of the numbers and letters were worn off and you couldn’t read them so next time I go I’m goimg to give it to them.
Spend some quiet time doing something just for me like reading, journaling, or yoga.
Today I am choosing to be present with my family as we are on vacation. I am finding so much joy in this gift of time God has given us to spend together without the usual disruptions of “life”.
Making time to read and not feel guilty for it. That and choosing to focus on the good in my life.
Rain is in the forecast today. I can go out in the rain and dance! ☔????????
Rest! I have been going at full speed for the last few months and feel very tired and stressed.
Be present so I hear God’s voice.
I am working on restoring my relationship with the Lord and the prospect of having a better relationship with him brings me a lot of much needed restored JOY!!
Show love to the “unloveable”.
enjoy God’s creation, savor the sunset
Be in the present moment and be thankful. Have Gratitude for everything in my life. Praise and trust Him.
Keep smiling! 🙂
I’m going to be silly with my boys today. They always make their own fun.
Look forward to new adventures in my upcoming retirement rather than a fear of depression with such a huge change. Trust God and leave my worries with him and not take them back.
Focus on. God and His love for me rather than on me and my circumstances, look at ways I can lighten someone else’s load. I always feel better when I love on/encourage someone else
What a great devotion for me today and the past few months. One thing I can do to bring joy into my life today is to get outside and walk in the woods and focus on the beauty of His goodness but I am also going to the funeral home to help support a dear friend who just lost a parent.
Listen to Christian music on KLove while going to work.
Go to my journal write now and make a list of things I am thankful for today. ????
Take in the beauty of God’s creation
I can look for the positivity in the world. It is there just have to look a little more
Spend time in the Word! Time with Jesus is the only thing that can change my attitude!
Helping others!
Choose Joy!
I count my blessings. If that also seems hard, I invite my 6year old grandson over!! I can only see love and blessings in him ????????
Being thankful for all the Lord has provided and letting go of things we don’t need of use any more.
Taking my dog for a walk at 5:30 am just as the light is peeking through. He gets so excited and has so much fun just walking, looking and sniffing! Joy in simple things!
Get into God’s word and have a gratitude journal.
Look around and count the blessings instead of focusing on the things I can not change.
Stop and be thankful for three things that I didn’t thank Him for yesterday .
To keep thanking & Praising God for what I still have. tomorrow is my husband’s birthday & even though there’s no $ available for celebrating I can spend the day fishing with him (this is not a fave for me) because I know it makes him happy.
Bring the neighbors homemade brownies
Today I will do a random of act of kindness for someone. You never really know others peoples struggles and I am praying that God will bring them joy.
Be present for my family.
I can change my attitude about the issue challenging me right now! ????
This is a very pertinent message for me and my husband right now! I can take time to appreciate my life by watching the pure joy and happiness on my baby girl’s face. She is complete and innocent and pure in her happiness, which makes it hard not to smile yourself!
Learn to be content with my situation. Trust gods plan!
Hello Everyone! Today Me & 2 other Amazing Ladies at our Summer job have decided to use this time to minster. So we have bought & made games to win prizes. Coloring books to color & than put on a billboard. The billboard a sweet young girl will help me decorate & complete today YEY! It feeds young children during summer whe they might not get a lunch. As well as getting them out of the heat for a bit w a lil fun. Ministering Jesus Love,Kindness & Friendship.I’m Delightfully Blessed to do this & with Amazing Woman of Faith beside Me. 3 chords are harder to break. Blessings!!! Stay hydrated & In Love with God!!????????
Making a friend of my MS and accepting the limitations of this disease..
You are such an inspiration, and I love reading your devotions.
I need to start focusing more on what I have and showing more gratitude to God. I will try to start counteracting each negative thought with something positive. There’s always something positive that we can focus on in each situation.
Do a random act of kindness for someone.
Try to focus on one day at time and not the big picture. I chose joy today–life is about choices and I need to decide to keep my eyes on God, not situations, my heart on God not my feelings, my emotions on the hope of Christ not my emotions of today.
I can take the time to just sit and laugh with my husband and children. Kids bring so much joy to the small moments and I can miss them.
After 25 years of marriage to uncover an affair is devastating. Working to put the many pieces back together is extremely challenging. You still live in the same house, see the same people, go to the same church. There is no where to run and hide! I get my peace and comfort from Jesus. A picture perfect life is not what I am seeking, but sometimes the mess that is mine can feel overwhelming! I will share this devotional with my husband. I have found turning my focus outward helps tremendously. Today I will bake cookies for my family and share some with my neighbors who just lost a dog.
This article and scripture verse was very good and very needed. I sometimes feel sad when thinking about my teens getting older, spending too much time on social media and caught up in their struggles and knowing their time here is so limited. I try to think about God’s plan…he is in charge, not me, not us..we want to be in charge of navigating our own lives, but we must always surrender to God. His plan, his guidance, his kindness, his Grace. I know God has plans for me and this “empty nest” will be constantly full with other jobs for our dear lord. Thank you so much for helping us understand scripture verses!
Thanks for the devotion, Tracie. Today I will enjoy being able to exercise and eat healthy. Seems like a chore sometimes but so thankful for my health.
I can choose to count my blessings.
Remembering it could always be worse and reminding myself to be thankful for what I do have…including my own trials and not someone else’s.
Be grateful for what goes well in the day instead of what goes wrong
I’ve been encouraging two friends who needed it in their lives right now.
I will thank the Lord for all he has given me!
When something funny or silly happens with my kids I will laugh out loud with them. Laughter is great medicine! I will also focus on the blessings in front of me and be sure to mention them out loud so my kids hear me speaking positively
I can show by example the gifts of the spirit. I also.want to do all things w/o grumbling or complaining.
I can trust God to keep my marriage strong despite a difficult situation my husband is experiencing at work. Praising the Lord for all my blessings and wanting to encourage my friends who are hurting.
I will pray I can keep being positive even though I’ve been dealing with troubles in my marriage.
I will send an uplifting message to a few friends that need it and spend time with my grandkids.
One thing I can do today that makes me smile, spend some time with the Holy Spirit.
Wonderful blog post!
To bring joy into my life, I choose to find things to be grateful for in every moment. Plus, celebrate with my mom for her birthday today!
I will put on some worship music and sing loudly! Thanks for the devotional today.
Count my many blessings! Buy fresh flowers for the house, light a scented candle and spend quiet time with my Savior. I have been feeling overwhelmed but your devotion put my feelings in perspective . Thank you.
The monotony of life can cause discontentment. This is when I open my treasure box of God’s blessings and repeat His countless ways He brings joy and significance to my life out loud. I try to find His beauty in Creation.
Being thankful for this beautiful day.
When I am struggling, I might tell someone I love that I love them… and see their face react. It usually brings a smile or warm feeling of closeness and comfort to both of us… and sometimes a hug naturally follows.
Sit down and hug on my children. Remembering what a blessing they are to my life.
I can listen to Christian music and read His word to help alleviate my pain.
Make the baby laugh, teething, runny nose and all (if he can laugh through all that, so can I! )
Stick to this exercise and eating plan that I recently started, so I can be proud of myself!
My husband and I are eating vegetarian one day a week for all three meals. Today I am making three meals that I have never made before. I am helping to take care of our health and that makes me happy.
I have found that anytime I am down or feeling discontent I take out my journal and do a gratitude list. I list ten things that I’m grateful for and by the time I’m finished my mood has lifted and I’m praising God for my many blessings.
Play with my puppy!
Turning up my music loud and dancing. I’m definitely feeling very stuck in my unplanned life situations right now and dancing always puts me in a better frame of mind.
I have been measuring myself against other woman lately, and I need to stop. My family had a very difficult last year with one of our sons and I find myself not reaching out to my friends to talk to them. Instead I find myself thinking they have full enriching lives and I don’t. (I do, but I am just feeling blah right now). Today, I signed up for a proverbs31 bible study, I am getting devotionals and I am taking back my happiness. 1 hour ago, I put on my adorable apron my niece made me and I made homemade chocolate chip cookies for my family….. I felt good doing it…
Express my gratitude to those around me.
Look up, literally. Look up and take in one of God’s greatest creations, the beauty and originality of each day’s sky: the unique formation of the clouds, the various shades of blue or grey and the sun shining down.
It was a Sucess! Praise God!!!! Smiling faces of All ages! Fun & A Wonderful way to kick off the Weekend! Blessings!!!!!
Praise God in ALL circumstances! Praise Him while you’re driving! Praise Him by singing worship songs in your head while you’re at work.
I will look up to Jesus and say I know He sees me. I will also try to take my mind off of myself and onto others. Once we take our eyes off ourselves we tend to see things more clearly.
Sit and listen to my little girl sing to herself, making up her own songs.
Find something I like about my spouse or kiddo & compliment them on that. I think joy will come from building someone else up.
Pause, and take time to be grateful for my many blessings.
Be content in all things.
Prayer and music helps.
I try to center myself with slow deep breaths, enjoy the beauty outdoors God has provided for us, and to count my blessings that have already occurred this day. I also make a point to call or email someone who may be on my mind a lot to check in with the and let them know I am thinking of them or if there is anything they need.
Remind myself of all the things I have to be thankful for and share some of them with someone else.
Catch with an old friend and pray for a new friend whose going through a challenging time.
Be thankful for what is in my life right now… In times of change it’s hard to focus on the blessings I have now & easy to worry about what the future holds… Pray that He will use this difficult time tho bring me closet to Him!
Everytime I start to wonder & look back, I’m gonna say to myself–“look forward” and “no more what-ifs” !!
Give yourself credit, take time to say thank you. We deserve to give to ourselves
So that we are refreshed to give to others.
Tracie this only the 2nd time I have ever made any comment on any website as I don’t make it a habit to vent on websites, but I feel I need to tonight. I have been in a black mirey pit and can’t see a way out, hating my life, and started pulling away from God and last night I happened upon a small stone in a drawer with James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw
Near to you”. This scared me as I did not want God to pull away from me, as I was doing, but, why shouldn’t He. And tonight I just happened to come upon your P31 Devotion about being stuck in my life. I feel that way totally at this time, feeling very sad and want my life to be different and having no control. What’s bad is I have allowed my family to be hateful to me and walk all over me to the point I want to go off and be a hermit. Maybe God is wanting me to purchase your book as it might be helpful to me, like your devotion was to me.
I actually did not answer your question, but more pouring out my feelings and telling you, thank you for your devotion today. I pray I can soak up some of your wisdom, like a sponge, as I truly need it right now.
Spend more time with the lord and his word.
I am filled with Joy because you have another book for me to read. I saw one I have missed but I will be getting it to I love your books they are so about me. I just saw one I missed that I will buy and read while waiting for your new one.My joy is when I am with my grandson He is a true blessing. He is a character, He makes me laugh all the time.I miss him when he is not here but just a phone call will remedy that. Blessings
Be grateful for a warm fire and thankful here in New Zealand.
I read this post now but I will rejoice with my family on this last hour of this day and I can do something tomorrow too to improve my joy. Amen.
I walk my dog and talk with my boyfriend. I help tutor a young student. I make a meal for my family and friends that come visit. I encourage a new mom and friend in their new stage of life. I help my kids pack for summers best two weeks camp and sing worship songs while we do it. Serving and encouraging others brings me joy and contentment.
Take time to rest and just enjoy watching a movie or reading a book with my kids.
Continue practicing to focus more on Him, the solution, and less on the problems. Doing things daily, I can still enjoy.
Being retired and enjoying the opportunity of being a part of my 9 & 10 yr olds lives. (Adopted at birth) and finding out their my grandchildren♥️ God has so blessed me with them after a 27 yr marriage that ended in divorce. That’s where my true enjoyment comes from .. spending our time together just the 3 of us ????????????♥️
Look at my situation as being a caregiver to loved ones as a blessing, not a burden. Experience joy in the hardship. And live each day as if it’s your last!
Be still and know i am blessed even when out doesnt seem like it
Do a good deed to bless someone else today.
Be content with being single (again), working hard at my job, living alone, rebuilding the relationship with my son, and hopeful that I will a relationship with my grandchildren again soon.
Getting together with friends, my sons friends, we care for each other.
Today I will speak kind words and be generous with forgiveness to a certain someone. Doing this will help us both to have more happiness.
I am going to go stawberry picking this weekend. I have always taken my daughter with me before my divorce. This will be 3 years since I have been. I am going this weekend, even if I go alone.
I am going to do a craft with my son today…
Serve someone else’s need today. Be intentional in taking the focus off of my to-do-list, to be present in the moment and mindful of the needs of others. Only then can I be available to God, his promptings and His work. Happiness and joy are gifts from God.
Watch the sunset
Sit in my new hammock and read!
Celebrate the life I have. Celebrate those around me and be happy for them and all they enjoy. Stay focused on me and my actions rather than those of others.
Pray with a friend! It always brings joy!
I can be kind to my husband, who has been not engaged with the family much.
Spending focused time with my kids! 🙂
I can take my 3 young children (ages 7, 4, and 2) to the local parks n rec splash pad. It gives them such joy to race through the streams of water created by the jets, try to “catch” the water, or to just stand in the sprays and feel the water splashing all over their bodies…they just simply love to jump, splash and play in the water. For me, it brings such joy to watch them play and to see the huge smiles on their faces, and to hear their squeals of delight and laughter. (And sometimes, I even join them! ????)
Serve with the 3 and 4 yr olds at my church today
Spend time soaking in God’s word always make me happy and lifts my heart even when life or my season is hard!
Go outside and enjoy the beauty God has provided us with.
I can do one thing out of my way to bless someone else!
I believe that you have to find ways to relax and have fun with the Lord daily! =) One thing I do everyday or at least a couple times a week is just DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No one has to be perfect at it. God loves for us to have fun with him and rejoice no matter what. Even when you might not be in the best mood ..put on some amazing worship music. I love Toby Mac and I just dance! I thank God while I am dancing as well. When I dance randomly or even take time to dance with God. I feel peace while I praise him! Dance everyone! When we choose to rejoice we find peace and we find ourselves focused on other things. Dancing for God always brings great joy. There is so much to be thankful for!
God bless you!
Stop hating myself.
Watch the birds outside my window. Be thankful for the help I was given yesterday and what I got done today instead of the problems involved and how much still needs to be done.
Do something I enjoy like creating a scrapbook page or finding an ancestor
Pray and be thankful for everything I do have.
Post scripture in our house to remind me what I should focus on.
Be patient with my family. God has our situations under control!
Ask God to fill you with joy and then look for things for which you can give thanks.
Smile, even if you don’t feel like circumstances deserve it. Smiling warms your heart and it’s contagious for others!!
Looking in God for my joy not the circumstances around me which I pray would in turn overflow into the lives of people around me.
I have suffered from anxiety for so many years. One thing I can do today to bring joy to my life and to my daughter’s life is continue to give my troubles to the lord. This allows me peace in my heart and my daughter to enjoy me again, and vice versa.
I will smile by being present in today and not distracted by the noise of the world.
I would like to try harder to be content with what I have. We have custody of four grandchildren with a three bedroom house. We have needed the means to get a larger home for quite some time now (11 years).
I like to go for a walk when I need a happiness boost 🙂
Spend some down time with Family and friends, enjoying the summer sun
Just listen to my son! Put down the phone, turn TV off and not multitask. Listen to his enthusiasm, his passion for music and not give advice or try to fix anything. Bask in his smile and his joy will bring me joy today.
Today I will be intentional about shifting all “life is hard” thoughts into praises. I will also find joy in snuggling with my dogs & cats, and not take my attitude out on my husband or kids.
Serve others… even small tokens of service can change lives, starting with our very own!
Pray more and be more present in the lives of others
Take moments to see the world that God has given to me. Even the simple joys of my 8 year old and 20 month old enjoying peaches and ice cream.
I took 3 of my daughter’s berry picking today. it was nice to do together…making memories.
Focus my thoughts on others and not my situation.
Connect with God first thing in the morning, keep choosing to walk with Him all day long, and have some quality time with Him right before bed.
Invite someone to go to church with you.
I’m going to find joy in cleaning my baseboards this morning! Not an easy task but I know how great it will be when it’s all done.
Doing my morning devotion and journaling my intent to find 5 positives or things that make me happy from morning until bed time tonight.
I will accept my ex for exactly who he is and let him know that he doesnt have to change a thing.
I will pray for strength today to overcome my negative thoughts and situations.
I can do give encouragement to my daughter in love she is going through a rough patch right now trying to find a home and being pregnant. These two things together are stressing her out. I can show her love and grace during this time and help with my 2 grandchildren.
Give a genuine compliment to someone, even a stranger!
Helped a neighbor in need! Spent time in my flower beds!! Talked with Jesus!!!
One thing I can do today to bring joy or happiness into my life is run – take the time to lace up and run – for pure enjoyment not for time or distance – just for JOY <3 And while I am out running pay attention to my surrounding and acknowledge others!
Love on my six, beautiful and wonderfully made children from God!!!!
As I slice a cucumber from my garden, I can thank God for my physical ability to grow a garden and the land to grow it on. As I read this devotion I can appreciate the people who helped me learn how to read. As I reflect on the church services that I attended yesterday I am thankful for the freedom to worship and for hearing God’s word spoken and explained. And as I sit down iny recliner I am thankful for another day of life!
Write an encouragement note card to a person God has put on my mind. I used to think oh how will sending a note of encouragement help someone that much.. It seemed so easy to do. Then I realized God gave me the spiritual gift of encouragement and that is why to me it seemed to easy to do.. Ha! We should never take for granted how God can use anything he impresses upon us to do.
Oops gave wrong email on my comment above. I have corrected it here.
Remember God has never let me down. Trust him with all my heart.
Spend time in the Word!
I stayed an extra hour and a half to help a friend at work I was happy to be able to help her
I will say “THANK YOU,” even for the challenging moments today.
I will take the time to find things to be grateful for.
Smile at someone
Be present and truly listen and focus when my young daughter is relating her day’s events to me
Be grateful for the things I do have and for what God has blessed me with instead of complaining and focusing on the negative things going on in my life!
Going to the beach and reading a book – spending some time doing something I enjoy each day!
I can spend time writing… it always brings me joy!
I can release my thoughts of what my life “should have been” to God. Just because my life didn’t turn out the way I always thought it would, does not mean that it can’t get better and I can’t have hope. God will get me through and even though it wasn’t the way I wanted it to be, doesn’t mean it’s not how God wanted it to be. So much easier said than done sometimes!
Sitting out in the backyard and just watching the clouds, blue skies and knowing my husband is in heaven with Jesus.
Spend time with my BFF and/or my 83-year old mother and my four youngest grandchildren. I feel much joy when I am with any one of them. Also, like to take time to meditate on the Word. It uplifts me & makes me a much happier person knowing God is watching out for me.
Joy …spending the very first 30 minutes of my day reading my Bible …this truly sets the tone for my day!
Smiling at a stranger and seeing them smile back always makes me happy and brightens my day.
Reading a book.
Just being able to put a smile on someone’s face makes me feel joy!
I will start a gratitude journal, and trying to find 1-3 things each day that are positive and/or I should be grateful for. I am surrounded and we’re down by so much negativity and difficulty right now. It is difficult to see the light and positive in this life. I need a helping hand up. And I will begin trying to find something each day to be grateful for, and write it down.
I’m trying each day to truly feel and embrace God’s love for me. I’m memorizing scripture to re-enforce. “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.” Romans 8:38-39.
Today I decided to get back into the word of God knowing that this is one of many steps to help heal my broken heart. I found Proverbs31 by accident but like what I have seen so far. Thank you !
Looking forward to spending time with my grandmother who is 93 years young.
Make my children laugh because nothing can turn a bad mood or bad day around fast than toddler laughter.
It has been a rough year starting with my house flooding, my grandmother passing away last week and my dog being diagnosed with kidney failure. So today, my happiness is in the little moments of resting on my front porch with my dog and remembering sweet moments with my grandmother, who was my best friend.
Listen to my fave Christian music during the day.
Focus more on my motto of work hard and pray harder! ❤️
I’m choosing to see joy & be joy filled in every victory no matter how small or big they are! We’ve been through SO much in a short year and yet the enemy is still working his hardest to strip us of that Joy…..For King and Country’s new single “Choose Joy” is my Anthem! ????
Write a list of what I am thankful for and spend time creating memories with loved ones.
I can bring happiness to my children by being more relaxed, and not striving for perfectionism in our home life.
Thanks for sharing! I often feel like this, but I find that a gratitude journal really helps me find tiny things to love about my life.
Going for a bike ride! And smiling and waving to people we pass along the way….sometimes even ringing my bikes bell, makes people laugh.
Taking time to bless others, speaking words of encouragement, asking God to give me words of life/blessings to/for family/friends! Thanks for the reminder!
As a 16 year anxiety sufferer, joy is a distant friend. I can choose to trust in Jesus and try to see the joy in each day.
Invited my neighbor/friend today to a time of refreshing and to rest in God’s presence without any phones or distractions.
Take time to pray for others- to sit closer to God through fellowship.
Keep my thoughts centered on God and not the situation at hand through prayer, worship music and reading God’s word.
Celebrating my daughters birthday today. I
Slow down, take time to enjoy and appreciate God’s creation.
Allowing myself a few extra minutes with God today and taking time this morning to read this and remind myself to be happy!
I keep sending random cards to my daughter that lives in another state. I have fun sending them and she loves getting them. I try for funny cards but sometimes have to creatively “edit” cards to make them fit the “occasion.” It’s great!
Stop focusing on my current circumstances or dwelling in the past and be thankful by keeping in remembrance what God has already brought me through. Knowing that God has never left me and never will,is a promise I choose to meditate on! Thank you so much Tracie for the reminder,that it is my choice to choose joy!
I try to compliment someone else everyday!
Hello Tracie, My sister in Christ. Thank you and the women who posted comments of which I read several; Tammy R & Cindy B just 2 of whom I also have concerns re: & would appreciate prayer. I like many, am my own worst critic and need to reprogram my mind with who God says i am. I take1day at a time. I am still a single lady; yet wondering when or if there is a guy out there for me. Concentrating on growing in the Lord, being a light, & living a simple life. Thank you Jesus!!
I watched the news the other day….saw the devastation in Japan and the boys in Indonesia, holding on for help as they’re trapped by water in a cave…and it surely puts my own heartache from the hurt of bad marriages and emotional disconnection from my adult sons (from my first marriage) and some strain between myself and my younger two teens (from this present awful marriage) into perspective. It hurts, yes, but none of us is in a literal life-threatening position….so I pray for the people who are,and give thanks to Him that while “Life sucks” right now…while there is life, there is hope.
I am 24 hour a day caretaker for my Mom who has dementia. I am going to make my husband smile with a date night tonight.
Hiking with friends!
I’m going to stop and take deep breath, take time to laugh and smile, and just enjoy the moments more often.
PTL I have a patio full of plants and I am going to move three new pretty turquoise pots from car trunk to patio. Thanking the Lord I can still do that at 70, even after having polio before I was two. Happy Wednesday. I am upright and moving forward.
I can praise God in song!
Today I will choose to be happy and grateful today, reminding myself that I am a child of God.
“Huggle” with my 2 yr old a little bit longer tonight, instead of stressing about dishes and laundry – they’ll still be there tomorrow.
Help others when I don’t have to!
Through His divine power, TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE to obey Christ and therefore CHOOSE JOY. ☺ 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
I know this may silly, but if I’m down, I go to the barn and spend time with our horses. Untangling manes and tails, brushing them and just smelling them and being near such a wonderful creature gives me such peace…….which gives me joy.