Joy

Joy is choosing to see the beauty and blessings no matter what comes our way in life. It doesn't disappear because of the circumstances. Happiness is circumstantial, but joy builds in your life over time.

—Ed Young, author

What is the message of this gift?

This morning following a call from my daughter rather early I was blessed to see a buck mule deer in the yard, large rack in velvet. I see elk fairly regularly in my meadow, and when I see the deer elsewhere in town, they are usually in small herds. To see one at this end of town is very rare.

The dog sitting on the porch didn't bother him as he just stood there and they watched each other in peace. The dog didn't even get up into a sit. Eventually he wandered on a short distance then turned and came back. Eventually, people walking had him trotting away but his visit was definitely a message from above.

God has always used deer to deliver special messages to us. Sometimes they represent a loved one passed on. My daughter had momentarily wanted to call her Mimi and tell her the good news of her job, then remembered she was no longer with us. Maybe this was Gods way of showing her HE is there, listening. When I called her to tell her she had just finished saying a prayer. Thank you for that Lord Jesus Christ. My God is so good. What a wonderful way to start the day.

Life can't always be perfect

Now that summer is officially here, the flowers sprouting up outside are beautiful, the hawks overhead inspiring, and the blue skis with light afternoon rain remind me of my childhood. We spent summers and vacations not far from here as I grew up and we explored the mountains during the day, read on the day beds during the afternoon rains and barbequed dinner under clear skies. My favorite memories of all time.

In high school I was hit with the disorder of depression. Though it is mostly under 'control' now, I hate those days when the urge to end it all just creeps up into an otherwise beautiful day. The problems of loneliness. I've thought of moving closer to my children as I never seem have time to slip into the darker moments. But where I live is so beautiful and there is something to be said for the quiet life. Just not too quiet.

Still, I can say the things I am grateful for so far exceed the bad. And I'm thankful for the down times because each negative experience has led me to have more compassion for those in similar situations and that makes me feel good about me and how empathetic and understanding/non-judgmental I can be. May I always be grateful for the blessings God has given me despite the bad days.

Thank you Lord Jesus.