Joy Interrupted?
Guest post by Leigh Ann Napier
Bills due. Money’s tight and your pants are too (stress craves ice cream). House is a mess. Husband is grouchy. You run into a friend who not only looks great but seems to have a fabulous life only to realize later you had a Cheerio in your hair during your entire conversation.
This, my friend, is life. I don’t know if you can relate to any of these things but that is the case for me more times than I would care to admit. Your situation is different obviously. Maybe better, maybe worse. Either way, I am confident of this: If you are alive, your life isn’t perfect. Your marriage, your kids, your job, your domestic skills, your body…all imperfect. It is great to make strides toward improving these things. Just don’t hold your breath for perfect. Won’t happen. In this life, it is not IF we will have trouble but WHEN.
This is hard for me to swallow as an optimist. I have found though, that it is so much easier to live day to day knowing that in spite of our troubles, we always have a choice. We can choose to believe the best about others (particularly our husband and children). We can choose to focus on the things that are going well in our lives. We can still choose to take the time to laugh and enjoy the people and the blessings God has given us this day. We can choose to stop and give thanks when life isn’t perfect. Give thanks for what we’ve had, what we have now, and for what is to come.
Life has a way of making our troubles seem urgent and encouraging us to procrastinate our joy. Don’t fall for it! If you are waiting for your “to do’s” to be done or for this crisis to pass before you enjoy your life- you are being deceived. After this crisis passes another one will be right on its tail. Don’t allow your circumstances to dictate your joy. Don’t allow setbacks, delays, or disappointments to prevent you from taking time to give thanks.
Here are a few FREE things that you can do to add joy to your life.
• Go for a walk
• Call your mom
• Have sex with your spouse…
• Laugh more
• Tickle your kids (or your spouse)
• Pet your pets
• Make a list of all you have to be thankful for…and refer/ add to it often
Now, pick a few and start enjoying your life more…today!
“These are my wonderful girlfriends who bring so much joy to my life. We laugh together and cry together and share our imperfect lives with each other. So thankful for their friendship!”
Front Row Left to Right: Elaine Kaiser, Shanea Garretson
Back Row Left to Right: Stacy Dixon, Margo Branham, Leigh Ann Napier, Ashley Leimer, Sarah Rowe - Also not pictured but equally loved Emory Spradlin (since moving to Florida it has been harder for you to come to Girls’ night but we love you just as much!)
This week’s guest post was written by Leigh Ann Napier, iBloom Life/Marriage Coach. Leigh Ann works with women who “refuse to crash” in their marriages and helps single/engaged women who want to plant seeds for a fruitful, loving & lasting marriage. She provides coaching, encouragement and resources to women and helps them promote intimacy and understanding with their mate.Comments
