today’s small thing: joy
Happy Easter!
What a joyous time we have entered into. Jesus has conquered death, and we’re done fasting! Thank goodness, because lent felt really long this year, and coupled with winter overstaying its welcome, I was getting a little bummed. I had a rough patch of a few weeks where I just didn’t want to do anything or see anyone.
But once Easter came I had a renewed sense of energy and purpose. I feel alive again. (See video below for a great song!)
Yesterday I called some friends and set up play dates for George. I did more housework. I took some ‘me’ time to journal and reflect on things going on in life.
In the meditation for yesterday it said:
We must always foster joy and optimism and reject sadness, which is sterile and leaves the soul at the mercy of many temptations. When one is happy, one is a stimulus and an encouragement for others…”
That really struck me. Happy people are a stimulus and encouragement to others. I want to be that!
Then I thought about George. Man, that kid is always happy. Unless he needs something… 😉 And his smile is most definitely contagious.
George smiling about the Shockers making it to the Final Four
It is hard NOT to smile when he is. Wow, my son is already teaching me so much.
So my challenge for me, and you, today is to find a little way to be more joyful in your daily life. Even in the worst of circumstances, there are things to be joyful about. The biggest of all is that God loves us and He is with us always.
What are you joyful about today?
small pieces of joy 
A friend of mine returned from Africa (her cousin is trying to set up a business and use artisans from Africa… I hope she is paying them well what they are worth—) and she was telling me stories about the people. It reminded me of two years ago when Beth returned from a trip helping a lady to establish a wild game refuge for tourist in able to provide full time, year round jobs for bushmen. Beth was with about 15 or 20 young adults all volunteers helping this lady from Germany set up her Wild Life Preserve. The volunteers were necessary because she was trying not to make a profit, but just employ bushmen. The young adults helped take care of the animals by feeding them and taking care of water. They would show the tourists how to interact with some specific animals. The owner, however, grew more concerned about the children and she was in the process of establishing a school for them. When Beth was there, it was nothing more than a roof on four poles with a dirt floor. This owner wanted the indigenious peole to have fair wage jobs, but also educational opportunities for their families. Beth would tell me how these people would simply smile, sing, and dance all the time. She said she had never before seen peoople who were so happy and joyful all the time and they had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. She said many of the children did not even wear pants or underwear… sometimes just a little shirt was all. She said all ages of people were happy, young, old, those who were working hard eery day. When my friend just got back during March, she was telling me the same thing – Beth was in Namimbia and my friend just got back from Botswana. I wish there was some way that I could package their natural happiness and distribute it to all new mommies! Your mother and I have both been in your shoes, but the huge difference is that we were not so far away from our family of origin. You are doing a fabulour job! George is absolutely precious and he is your priority. Go to bed at night and feel success because he was fed and he and his clothes were clean. If you don’t have time to shower or shampoo or clean the house, the world continues. You are doing the right thing each and every day. You’re experiencing more stress than most new moms. Please give yourself the opportunity to feel all your emotions as you pray for your dad, for your new baby, and for your husband and your marriage. Gotta run, second graders are getting ready to return to the room. Blessings and prayers to all three of you as you build your new family. Love you all – Kathy
LikeLike
Wow. That must have been an incredible and unforgettable experience for Beth. I can’t even imagine what life is like without many of the things we have, and still being able to be happy! That is a very important reality check. Thank you for that perspective!
LikeLike
Great post, Kari! It’s a great reminder for all of us! Thanks for sharing George’s smile with us too! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Laura! I love sharing his smile. It makes any day that much better 🙂
LikeLike
We edited our “Flying Into Spring” stories in 2nd grade this afternoon. As I go through life, I am one of those people who walks around with a red marker to correct spelling and grammar errors. I was in such a huge hurry earlier, but I wanted to post while I had a “small” opportunity. Please forgive all the typos. I’m just now rereading it. I’m glad you accept me, warts and all!!
LikeLike
Haha I know what you mean. We are all allowed a few typos that the red marker misses 🙂
LikeLike
I really needed your message today, Papa and I were just talking before I read your blog that we had good health all our years when we were young and able to do what we wanted to do to have fun. I was having a hard time Easter to be cheerful and Bernadette also,pointed that out to me that day and I was repeating it to Papa and he agreed that we have been fortunate to have had so many good years. What makes me most sad is knowing what your Dad is going through so young as it is hard not to be able to make it all better as I could when he was still a child. As you will find out someday your child is always a child in your heart even when they are grown. Don’t get down on yourself, I know it is hard but you are being a good Mother. Everyone has those days when it is hard to cope but in the end it is worth it to see you all grow up and be such wonderful people!! Love all of you so much! Grandma.
LikeLike
Thank you Grandma for your kind words! The past few months have really been difficult for all of us. I am so thankful for such a wonderful family to go through this with. Love you!
LikeLike