Count it all joy… I remember this story I listened to as a kid about a man who lost everything. He chose in his tragedy to “count it all joy”; that no matter what life brings, be it good or bad, it is a choice to accept what is with fervent joy.
“Little by little,” the acorn said, As it slowly sank in its mossy bed, “I am improving every day, Hidden deep in the earth away.” Little by little each day it grew; Little by little it sipped the dew; Downward it sent out a threadlike root; Up in the air sprung a tiny shoot, Day…
I listen. I am calmed. There is a tightly curled brown dog sleeping deep sighs beside me while little bird songs float down the hallway from my daughter’s room. My daughter. I have a tall, beautiful daughter who emanates joy and enthusiasm for life. I listen. I am calmed. The songs continue.
Awake, thou wintry earth – Fling off thy sadness! Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth Your ancient gladness! ~Thomas Blackburn, “An Easter Hymn” I love spring. Trees sprouting new leaves, flowers blooming, birds chirping and kids antsy to meet the new life that is springing up everywhere. I love driving down a windy street that is…
In my teenage years, between the stars plastered to my ceiling, I wrote verses with a Sharpie marker. They brought me direction when I was given options to take. My favorite verse, that still sticks strongly with me today, is: O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you since my childhood. Psalms 71:5