During this Lenten season I have been participating in a Lenten photo challenge. Each day is assigned a word and I find a photo that describes what that word means to me and share it on Facebook. Today's word is "JOYFUL".
It is an interesting word for today. Well for me it is. Today is my dad's birthday. His 60th birthday and while I often find myself mourning and overwhelmed with anxiety on days like today, today I am choosing to be joyful.
The Lenten season for me is about transformation and renewal. About being about to find a way to move past the pain and hurt from the year and years past and toward a future that has promise of light, hope and love. It is much easier said than done but for some reason this year has felt very different to me.
I constantly feel God's presence in my life. I see God when I am nursing my sweet baby girl in the middle of the night. I see God when Henry is driving me absolutely crazy but just being himself, the way he was created. I see God in the faces and hospital rooms of the people I visit. I see God in the mourning, in the grieving, in the broken.
If you are just able to open your heart and your mind to it you will be amazed at how God works in your life. Bringing you joy, comfort, grace and love.
The highlight of my day today was seeing Henry during his swimming lessons. Henry is not the best at listening but loves to swim and tries really hard. Last week they were told to bring goggles. Today we swam with confidence and his teacher had all the other kids watch him so they could see how to do certain things. I was extremely proud of him. He got out of the pool and said "Mom, did you see? I paid attention!" I said "I am so proud of you Henry. You are such a good swimmer." His response (very loudly while throwing his arms in the air) "WOOHOO".
Being joyful is possible, even when you expect to be sad. Seeing God in the hurt and pain is possible even when you can't imagine that God is present. Being open to the transformation that God can bring to your life is also possible, even if you don't understand why you would need it.
I challenge everyone to find ways they see joy in their day, joy in the darkness and joy in the beauty. It is all around just waiting to be seen.
