As much as we try to hang onto it, the world can sap the Joy right out of us. It’s a good thing God’s Joy is unchanging and unaffected by the tumultuous happenings of this crazy world.
So, when you feel as though your joy is gone, lean on the Lord. He has enough for us all.
And His Joy is our strength!!
It’s Christmastime everyone!
Time to deck the halls –
Time to string the lights
‘Round the tree and on the walls.
It’s time to go a-wasselling –
Wasselling? Hooray!
I don’t know what it is
But we’ll have fun anyway.
It’s time to join the bustle,
Time to shop the stores,
Time to wrap the gifts –
Wait! I need just one thing more.
Celebrations everywhere,
Yummy treats to eat,
Old friends to laugh with,
And memories, oh, so sweet.
Families all together,
Loved ones held so close,
Christmas is the time
That we truly love the most!
But the joy of this season
By all is not shared.
There are those burdened
By a heavy load of cares.
There are those who are hurting,
Those who have no hope,
Those who are hungry,
Those who cannot seem to cope.
Christmastime to these dear ones
Is just another day
To struggle all alone,
Not a time to sing and play.
They simply can’t comprehend
The reason that we sing.
Their woes are too great;
They think miracles silly things.
They’re searching for an answer,
Escape from their plight.
They’re holding back tears
As they kiss their kids goodnight.
Oh, it’s time we look around –
Open up our eyes
To a dying world
That thinks no one hears their cries.
Our lives are filled with plenty;
We’ve so much to give.
We’ve a Hope to share
With a world that longs for it.
It’s Christmastime, after all!
Time to spread the news,
Time to tell of Jesus
And His love for me and you.
It’s time to go a-serving!
Serving? Yes, indeed!
Meeting needs of others –
What great joy and love it brings!
So, let’s celebrate this season
Telling of His birth,
Giving unto others,
Spreading Hope and Peace on earth.
*Dedicated to my son, Corey, who is spending his Christmas break building houses for those in need in Peru. I am so proud of his choices and the man he is becoming.
March 20, 2018
I hope you’re finding ways to spread happiness throughout your neck of the woods today. If you’re not sure how to share happiness, check out the ideas over at www.dayofhappiness.net. By joining the “movement for a happier world”, you’ll be able to access all sorts of images to share on social media and ideas for children, adults and your community to make the world a happier place. BUT…
… if you’re finding it hard to smile and the circumstances of life are pulling you down today, the following music video by MercyMe is a must watch! By the end of the song, I guarantee you’ll be SMILING – maybe even dancing! – and I know you’ll want to pass the SMILE along.
(By the way, the video begins like it’s a totally different song but hang in there til 0:24 – it’s totally worth it! Besides, that’s only a 24 second wait. You can handle it! 😉 )
Are you feeling happy, yet?
Good!
Now go spread that happiness to everyone you meet!
#InternationalDayOfHappiness
This week my husband and I celebrated twenty years of marriage. TWENTY YEARS! I feel as if I should be receiving an Olympic gold medal. Maybe two. I’ll settle for platinum, if available. 😉
I’m not a mushy, gushy kinda girl so I don’t want my husband to send me roses or buy me jewelry. That money could be applied elsewhere. And if he had presented me with the traditional 20th Anniversary gift of china, my first response would have been, “Do you still have the receipt?”
I know. I’m weird. Or maybe I’m simply practical. I don’t know. My husband thinks I’m awesome, though! (Hahaha!)
To celebrate my 20th, I thought I’d share a few of my secrets to happiness in marriage – twenty secrets to be exact. Now that I think about it, these may be more like things I wish I knew on Day 1 rather than secrets to success but valuable knowledge nonetheless.
So, here we go – my twenty “secrets” to happiness in marriage (in no specific order). I’ll try to keep them short.
20. Don’t buy into the whole “Wedded Bliss” idea.
Okay. I know this sounds horrible but hear me out. Nothing in life is perfect – especially a marriage. Although you’ll have times when you’re living on Cloud 9, you’re also going to have times when you feel your marriage is falling apart. It can get rough. So, if you’re expecting the Fairy Tale, you’re in for a shock. Remembering that you are two imperfect people striving to create a life together will do wonders for your wedded bliss!
19. Don’t keep score.
Again, neither of you are perfect. You’ll both make mistakes. But marriage isn’t a game so don’t keep a record of each other’s wrongs. Forgive and forget!
18. Understand that marriage isn’t 50/50.
It’s 100/100. Marriage takes two people giving 100% of themselves to make it work. Sure, there will be times when you or your spouse cannot give 100%. We all have those times when we have to depend on the strength of others. So when your spouse doesn’t have 100% to give, take up the slack. Then on days when you are lacking, let your spouse take up the slack. Just remember – don’t keep score!
17. Learn to say “I’m sorry”.
A LOT! Most of us hate to admit when we are wrong but those two little words go a long way – if you are sincere.
16. Always buy the bigger comforter!
Maybe you’ve been there. It’s the middle of the night. You wake up to find that your spouse has rolled over in bed and taken the blanket with him. All you’re left with is a tiny sliver of fabric to shield yourself from the arctic blast coming from the A/C vent. For newlyweds and cuddly-natured folk, this may not be a problem. For those of us who need a little leg room to get a good night’s sleep, having a larger sized comforter makes all the difference in the world. Separate blankets work great, too!
15. Respect your spouse.
Don’t undermine your spouse. Don’t contradict your spouse in front of your children. Don’t talk down to your spouse. Don’t argue in front of others. Don’t compare your spouse to the spouse of another. Treat your spouse exactly how you would like to be treated. This should be a no brainer but because of such closeness and familiarity, respect often gets thrown out the window. Don’t let it.
14. Never expect what you haven’t spoken.
This is a tough one, especially for wives, I think. We believe our husbands should know what we want or know what should be done without us having to tell them. It’s an unrealistic expectation and the cause of many arguments that could easily be avoided if we only learned to verbalize what we want or expect – even if we think our spouse should already know. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!
13. Choose your battles wisely.
Not everything is worth an argument. Unfortunately, this is a lesson I’ve learned the hard way. <SIGH>
12. Remember that your attitude sets the tone.
It’s easy to let the mood of your spouse affect your own. It’s actually natural but it can also be a disaster waiting to happen. If your spouse is in a fowl mood, don’t let it pull you down, as well. In fact, your positive mood could just as easily sway the attitude of your spouse. So, set the tone.
11. Give each other space.
If you can’t keep from being affected by your spouse’s negative mood, you may simply need to give your spouse (and yourself) some space. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean that you have to spend every waking moment together. You really do need time apart.
10. Little things make a big difference.
I say this so often but only because it’s true! Buy your spouse his/her favorite sweets. Write a hidden “I love you” on the bathroom mirror which is only revealed by the steam of the shower. Little gestures go a long way.
9. Serve each other.
Give of yourself. Have a tall glass of cold tea waiting on your husband when he gets home. Wash the sink full of dishes so your wife will have one less thing to do after work. When you serve each other, you’re strengthening your relationship, providing for your spouse’s needs and showing your spouse how much you love and respect him/her.
8. Learn to appreciate his/her love language.
How does your spouse show his/her love for you? Does he keep your car in perfect working condition? Does she prepare five course meals for you? Figure out your spouse’s love language, acknowledge it and show your appreciation for it.
7. Listen to your spouse.
Turn off your device. Put it out of reach. Turn your face toward your spouse and make eye contact. Listen with all of you.
6. Laugh together.
Laughter is not only beneficial to individually health but also to the health of your marriage. Find ways to laugh with your spouse every day.
5. Be honest.
ALWAYS. Don’t even lie about the little things. Lies lead to mistrust. And trust is so very difficult to regain.
4. Compromise.
You and your spouse are not always going to see eye-to-eye. At some point in your relationship, compromises will have to be made. Be willing to meet in the middle or even give up your desire or point of view altogether.
3. Support your spouse.
Be your spouse’s biggest fan. Praise him/her at home and in the presence of others. Stand beside your spouse when no one else will. Support his/her dreams. Help your spouse reach his/her goals. When you build up your spouse, you’re also building up your marriage. It’s a win/win situation.
2. Dream together.
Plan your future together. Talk about it. Pray about it and make it happen – together.
1. PRAY.
Without ceasing. The key to happiness in marriage is God. When we strive to build a marriage that honors the Lord, all the other mess falls by the wayside. Pray daily for God to strengthen your marriage. Pray daily for your spouse. Be specific and be consistent.
Whew! Marriage is hard! I guess that’s why the Apostle Paul said it was better to remain single! But when you find the one you were meant to build a life with, it makes all the difference in the world.
Twenty years! My dad (who celebrates 57 years of marriage with my mom this year) says 20 is a great start. My husband and I have a long way to go to catch up to my parents but I’m looking forward to every single moment of it!
She walked in the room and looked down at me. I wasn’t surprised by her serious expression nor was I surprised by her remarks.
“Your pics are bad,” she reported. She glanced over at my husband and reiterated, “They’re bad.”
I simply nodded my head in agreement for even though I had not seen what she had, I knew her assessment was correct. She was my doctor, after all.
No, the pics she was reviewing were not head shots for my blog (although I could use a new one of those!). The pictures to which my doctor was referring were x-rays of my spine.
My scoliosis was detected in my preteen years. I was no stranger to physical malady, however. I had been living with a genetic muscle disorder all of my life. Scoliosis was just another lemon to add to the pitcher. But I have to tell you, these lemons were pretty rotten. How do you make the best of a muscle disorder that prevents you from living a “normal” life and a spinal condition that disfigures your body and promises even greater complications in the future?
Grace. My only answer is Grace.
The way I see it, my life has been one big miracle. From walking when the neurologists said it wasn’t possible to roller skating, bike riding and tree climbing, a diagnosis didn’t seem to stop me. The typical activities of children were challenges that I faced with the love and support of family and friends. Some activities were (and still are) more challenging than others, like climbing a flight of stairs (Check out my post about the stairs of life here.), but I did it. I pushed myself to live a “normal” life. None of it was normal, though. I had to learn to compensate my weaknesses with my strengths. I had to take advantage of railings or whatever was available (including people) to pull me along or assist in climbing or getting up after a frequent fall. I had to adapt to make it through life. It hasn’t been easy and I know that if it weren’t for God’s grace…
Well, I try not to think about that.
So, here I am, a few decades down the road from its first detection, and I find myself facing the inevitable. The scoliosis has progressed along with all of its lovely side effects – deformity, labored mobility and pain. I’ve been ignoring it, telling myself that it’s my norm. The reality is I didn’t want to admit that I needed medical help. It’s discouraging to face my imperfections and dependence head on (Have I ever talked with you about my stubbornness? 😉 ) but I’m doing my best to keep it all in perspective. (Really, I am.)
You see, I don’t believe I was cursed. I don’t believe God gave these problems to me. None of us are perfect. We all have something in our lives that makes us feel abnormal whether we admit it or not. What I do believe is that God can use my medical issues to display His mighty works. In fact, as I look at all He has enabled me to accomplish, in my physical growth and in every area of my life, I realize His Grace has always been shining brightly in me, through me and around me as a miraculous beacon of hope – a hope that will carry me through all that is to come.
Since I began this post, I have had my first visit (in 18 years) with a chiropractor. He showed me my x-rays and as I already mentioned, my doctor was right. It’s not good. (I’d show them to you but that’d be taking transparency a little bit too far, don’t you think? 😉 )
On the bright side, though, I have learned that I am the topic of conversation throughout the entire doctor’s office. It seems I’ve presented them with a case unlike they have ever seen. In the words of the chiropractor, “There is no textbook for [me].” Well, what d’ya know! I’m one of a kind.
Now how’s that for lemonade! 🙂
From a pile of 8 or so fortune cookies, the “Eeyore” in my life picked up this one. How fortunate!
(Check out my post on the Eeyores of life here.)
Immediately, he placed the cookie’s secret message in front of me without saying a word. The reveal had nothing to do with my blog posts, though – my Eeyore doesn’t read them. I knew that bringing it to my attention meant he heard the message loud and clear.
It’s a little disconcerting to be overshadowed by a cookie. You see, I’ve been preaching this same message to him day in and day out. He appears to be listening and always responds in agreement.
“Yes, I know it’s how I look at things.”
“Yes, I know I control my own happiness.”
“Yes, yes. You’re right.”
But the message never seems to make it past his earlobes.
I suppose it takes something out of the ordinary to get our attention every now and then. However, those attention grabbers may not always turn out to be as yummy as a cookie. For many of us, it takes a hard knock or two to wake us up and prompt us to make a change. We’re so wonderfully headstrong, aren’t we!
However, for some of us, we only need the wake up call to be delivered in an unsuspected or unusual method – like a fortune cookie.
So, go ahead, my Eeyore. Ignore the encouragement I’ve been giving you for years and listen to the stinkin’ cookie!
I’m pretty sure whoever wrote that fortune has been reading my blog, anyway. 😉
Thank you, Dr. Perry at MakeItUltra™ for reminding us of this important step on the path to happiness – Faith.
Wouldn’t you know it! As soon as I write a “How To” on maintaining happiness (Check out Happiness Is… A Keeper), the devil begins his attack. (That’s his M.O., though.) My focus has been the target and as I mentioned in my previous post, focus has a huge effect on our happiness.
So, what do we do when our focus becomes a little blurry? I find it helpful to spend time doing something I love. It gets my mind off the negativity and boosts my spirits which always helps me tune in to the important things of life. Oddly enough, cooking has become one of my go-to refocusing tools. (Yeah. Completely surprised me, too!)
This morning, I hit the kitchen around 9:15. I had my heart set on a breakfast casserole but first, I had to find a recipe. That always takes some time. Pinterest has way too many choices. I finally settled on Fully Loaded Cheesy Breakfast Casserole from “The Slow Roasted Italian”. Maybe it’s more accurate to say that this recipe was my inspiration. I didn’t quite follow it. (It’s amazing I ended up with something edible. I really have no idea what I’m doing! 😉 )
First, I gathered all the ingredients – well, almost all. I kinda grabbed stuff as I went along. But here is a list of the ingredients I used:
1 lb. ground mild sausage
Half bag of frozen diced hash brown potatoes (it’s all I had in the freezer)
12 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 green peppers
1 medium onion
2 cups of shredded Colby & Monterey Jack cheese (almost 2 cups – again, I used what I had)
1 tbsp. Minced garlic
Salt and Pepper
How to (and how not to, in some instances) prepare:
Preheat oven to 350º. The recipe called for a temp of 375º. I have no idea where I came up with 350º but it turned out fine.
Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking oil and set to the side.
Defrost ground sausage. So, I didn’t plan ahead and the sausage was in the freezer. On top of that, it turned out to be 2 pounds of sausage. I only needed one but had to defrost all of it. I guess I’ll find something to cook with the remaining sausage tomorrow.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee. This is going to take a while!
While waiting for the sausage to defrost, chop the onion and peppers. One of my peppers was a hybrid – half green, half orange. (Genetic engineering? Hmmm…) I only chopped the orange side so really I only used one and a half peppers.
Once sausage is defrosted, add to a skillet along with the chopped onions, peppers and minced garlic. Cook until sausage is no longer pink.
Scoop out meat and vegetable mixture, allowing the grease to drain back into the skillet, and spread into the casserole dish. You can use a slotted spoon or one of these handy scoops: (I’m not gonna tell you what I think this scoop looks like. You may lose your appetite. But, I promise, I bought it in the kitchen department!)
Drain some of the grease from the skillet until there is about 3 tablespoons remaining. (Just eyeball it, I guess. ??)
Return skillet to stove and add hash browns. Cook according to the package instructions: spread in single layer in pan, cover and allow to brown for 4 – 7 minutes on each side on medium-high heat.
While hash browns are browning, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper in large bowl. I repeat, LARGE bowl. It’s hard to whisk when you’re worried about sloshing egg all over your counter like I was!
Switch to whisking with a fork because plastic whisk ain’t cuttin’ it. (Note to self: Find metal whisk! Where is that thing?)
Check stove for cause of burning smell. Ugh! This is why I can’t do two things at once while cooking.
Salvage the non-burnt potatoes and spread over the sausage and vegetables in the casserole dish. (Oops, I missed a burnt one or two!)
Spend five minutes or more scraping out skillet while it’s still hot. (I learned that at the Japanese steak house where you not only get a fun show and great meal, you get a kitchen clean up lesson, as well!) Now, where was I… Oh, yeah.
Next, pour egg mixtu- – No, wait. That’s not right. I’m forgetting something. The cheese!
Next, sprinkle cheese on the casserole.
Now pour the egg mixture as evenly as possible into the casserole.
Bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when you stick a knife in the middle and it comes out clean. (I actually knew that before I started all this cooking nonsense. 😉 )
Use baking time to clean up your mess.
Reheat coffee for the third, maybe fourth, time and then wait.
Beep, beep, beep. Look at this beautiful casserole! It was yummy, too!
It took me 2 and a half hours to make (I told you I don’t know what I’m doing!) but by the time I was done, the thing that was stealing my attention no longer mattered. In fact, my only distraction at the moment was the rumbling of my tummy.
But that was quickly remedied. 🙂
A Couple of Stars and a Happy Face 