Hanging on to JOY

Sometimes we just have to hang on for the ride. God is in control, on His throne, and always knows what it best for our lives. The waves may toss us too and fro but God is there to speak peace. The thunder may roll and lightning flash but God is there to protect. The devil may try to tear us down, ruin us, maim us, but God is there to help us overcome.

Thank God for His JOY and His mercy. I don't know about you but I am determined to just keep hanging on for dear life. Devil, you are a liar. You are defeated in Jesus' name. I may be down for the count but watch out, I won't be down for long and when I shall arise, I will be triumphant over your cunning lies and fiery darts!

I may have lost a lot of things and may lose more, but I will NEVER lose my praise. God has been tooooo good to me!!!! I WILL PRAISE HIM IN THE STORM!

Bringing JOY to the community

At first, I thought the guy at a school crossing on Alder Avenue was nuts!! He would wave and smile real big, then point to every car that passed by. I could only think...CRAZY! But since I drive by him every morning after dropping off my girls, I have found that he makes me smile. He is enjoying his job as a school crossing guard and spreading his enthusiasm to everyone who passes his way.

My first reaction to him was skewed because in this day and age how many people do we see who are truly joyful? I wasn't used to seeing someone who was happy! Even many church people, forgiven and full of hope for life everlasting, tend to walk around with the weight of the world on their shoulders. They don't smile as they walk through the mall, they don't smile as they interact with the lost, they don't appear to have the JOY of the Lord as their strength. I realized I am guilty of that as well!!

This young man, probably 5 feet 10 inches or so, thin as a rail, standing on a sidewalk in a small town, has taught me to smile again. My daily infusion of JOY from his smile reminds me to spread the JOY, to be kind to others, to SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!! My kids are learning from him and I thank God for this sweet man who is happy fulfilling his duties in life! Does he ever get down or sad? Probably. However, from what I see every Monday through Friday, he doesn't share his sadness, he just shares JOY!!!

I hope to find my digital camera (oh, where are you, little camera?? why are you hiding from me??) and take a picture of this young man. I might even stop my car one morning and simply thank him for reminding me to Smile and share the JOY of the Lord! When I do, I will be sure to share the picture here with you!

Take time to renew your JOY in the Lord and be sure to SMILE as you go about your day. There is enough sadness and woe in the world already!!!

P.S. Happiness is a choice!! Choose to smile!!
Choose JOY!!
SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!!!

Not As JOYous A Day As I Hoped

This last Monday started out so joyfully. The kids got to school on time and I went out to breakfast with Tiffany. It was nice to just relax for a little while since my schedule has been soooo hectic lately. We had a nice visit over coffee and our Denny's specials. But alas, as we left, I found that my battery was dead. Ummm, this happened because it had been overcast and I had left my lights on. :{ Tiffany had already left the lot and I quickly called her and asked her to come back. She nor I had jumper cables in our cars and Tiffany asked the security personnel and other men if they cables and was repeatedly told no. Sooooo, I told her that we could run get cables from Wal-mart, return, and jump the car. I just needed to grab my purse, lock the door, and...........OH, NO!!!! I just locked my keys inside the dead car!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Thank God for AAA!!!! The man who answered the phone was so polite and helpful but he hurt my feelings when he laughed when I told him what had happened! By the time the tow truck arrived, I was late for work. So, I called in and told them I wouldn't make it.

I ran an errand and then headed to pick up my girls from Middle School. While nearing the school, Marissa (my oldest who JUST turned 13!!) called and said something was going on on campus. She told me they were in the Library with the Librarian but the campus was in lockdown. I hurried to the school, especially after seeing the helicopter flying over the area where the school is located!! There were at least 15 police cars pulled up in front of the school and many, many police officers standing in front of the school. I finally got to talk to an officer and he refused to say what was wrong but did agree to send in armed officers to escort my girls off the campus. After at least 45 nail biting minutes, they brought out my girls and we left. We hurried to my sons campus which had been out of school now for 30 minutes. I had called and asked if they would head off my son and keep him in the office til I arrived. They said they would....but.....they didn't!!! My son walked home from school, let himself in, and sat down to do his homework. I was much relieved when I realized Justin had made it home safely.
Turns out that a student had prank called the school, saying that someone had a gun on campus and was threatening to shoot people. After all the hullabaloo, they traced the call and arrested the kid!! They are holding the parents responsible for the cost of the 2 helicopters, SWAT team! These parents shoud be made to pay the costs and fines The son should spend some time in juvenile hall. Our youth today view almost everything as a "game"!! Do you agree that the parents should be responsible?