Day thirty-three –
When you find yourself in the middle of a hard season, it’s important to reach out and grab the tiniest moments of rest and joy that come your way. Sometimes that looks like a nap, sometimes that looks like a bubble bath or relaxing with a book, it might be a new workout or maybe…it’s tennis.
I’ve done all of the above and recently it was tennis!
You see these days I find myself in the car A LOT. I’m on the road three days a week driving to the Oklahoma City area and back. I drop my daughter off to appointments and then I hunt down the quietest little coffee shop I can find, pull out the laptop and work. It’s been a challenge, at times, to find balance and manage to stay on top of my workload but it has also been sweet to watch how God has orchestrated it all, allowing me to be present and available.
My youngest makes this trip with me and we often put away the homework and projects a little early and go in search of a pretty neighborhood to drive through, a fun place to eat or make a stop in our favorite place on earth – Hobby Lobby!
But recently, while we were waiting, we had the chance to spend our time watching a few of my daughter’s friends play tennis in the state tournament. The sun was coming and going behind the clouds, there was a nice breeze and it was a perfect day to be outside. Oh, there was work to be done, projects needing my attention and other places that I could have been, but in that moment, what the heart needed most was to sit beside my daughter in the spring air, support her friends and just breath!
I don’t know where you are in life right now friend. Maybe you are in a challenging season where you feel pressed on every side or maybe not. But if you are, I encourage you to grab hold of the simple moments that you are given to slow down and breath. If none come your way, then make them happen. Grab lunch with a friend, take a slow drive down the back roads home from work, or take a minute to sit in the sun. Maybe you could grab your rain boots and go jump in some puddles. Hey – I’m a full-grown adult and I still jump in puddles (Hint – It’s way more fun with a friend).
Whatever comes your way today, look for the joy – the gifts that God gives us – right smack dab in the middle of the mess. They are like a lifeline, so reach out and grab them.
Be joyful –
joyinyourjourney.net 