Choose Joy

After an extremely busy work week I was more than ready for the weekend. Quiet moments by the river and time to sleep in and rest. But God had a different plan for me. He had orchestrated a corrective learning opportunity that would provide a me with a choice to make.

At 5:30 am Roscoe decided he needed to go outside. Earlier in the week I had ignored his request and then spent extra time cleaning up his pen and giving him a bath. I did not want a repeat so I put on my flip flops and took him outside.

The campground was quiet and the faint light of the sunrise was barely beginning to show over the mountains. The moon was full and provided enough light that I didn’t need a flashlight.

As we walked around looking for the perfect spot for him to do his business my mind began to race with thoughts and questions like how tired I was and why did I have to be the one taking him out? Self pity made its appearance too as I began to complain about feeling unappreciated.

That’s when God got my attention and said, “You have a choice. Choose joy.” As I thought about that statement I again looked around me. I was alone outside with God and He was showing me beauty in the stillness.

The river quietly moved past while reflecting the light of the moon and the cool morning air tempted me to breathe in deeply. As I did I realized that the early morning wake up from Roscoe was actually a “Good Morning” call from God.

I could choose to be angry about being woke up and have a bad attitude for the rest of the day or I could be thankful that God wanted to show me His presence in such a peaceful, beautiful and personal way.

Today I decided to choose joy and was very blessed because of that choice. I went back to bed with a smile on my face and thankfulness in my heart. He blessed me with a deeper sleep than I’ve had in a long time and I woke up a few hours later completely refreshed.

We have a choice in every situation of how we will respond and how we will let it affect us. To often lately I have chosen the wrong option and found myself with a bad attitude and discouraged. Because of that I have missed countless moments just like this that would have brought me joy and a right heart.

I believe there is good in everything if we just look. Sometimes it may be harder to find, but in the end the beauty is simply that God is right there with us.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for the early morning wake up call. I love spending time with You and I’m in awe that You would make it so special and personal. Thank you for the gift of choice. I choose joy. I choose to see You in the midst of each moment. Help me to remember that You are there. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Psalm 46:10

“Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.” TPT

“Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.” MSG