five minute friday: choose joy.

Anyone else out there so glad it's Friday that you could just scream?

I've been wanting to write, to wrap up some half-finished posts with a nice ribbon and send them across cyberspace to you in a nice, timely fashion. The thing is, I'm just so very tired. We're all fine. [Translation: Relatives, do not worry. We really are fine.] This week's been fine. The kids are all fine. Hub's work is fine. I'm fine. We're just tired. And cranky. Let's not forget cranky.

When tired Me signed onto Twitter a few minutes ago, I was happy to be reminded that it is indeed Friday. And Fridays mean quick, five-minute posts facilitated by Lisa-Jo. Excellent.

So here goes. Five unplanned and unfiltered minutes of writing. It's liberating. Maybe you should try it, too. Then come back & tell me so we can feel liberated together. Good times.

(Full disclosure: This usually  -- i.e. always -- ends up being about 7 minutes for me. I'm late/slow with everything, just ask Rebecca.)

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Today's prompt: Joy.

:: START ::

“Today I will choose joy.”

The words are prettily painted on the cheerful blue and red and white image of a poster on Pinterest. 

Today I will choose joy. Sounds wise enough, good enough. But some days, doesn’t it feel like joy doesn’t choose me?

I live a joyful life. My home sees smiles and laughter every day. Some more than others, but still - every single day. My children are healthy. I’m in love with my husband and, despite my neuroses, he is in love with me. Our family extends beyond these walls to those near and far. We have people. We are loved. We live a joyful life.

And yet.

Yesterday a local news story had me openly weeping on my sofa, horrified at the fate of two tiny boys who I can’t help but imagine resembled my own.

I have dear friends struggling with disease and uncertainty, living their lives gracefully and beautifully with a would-be bully trailing behind.

Too many women that I love have mourned the loss of a child they never met. A loss no one else can fully understand.

And yet.

We choose joy. Because we know that while pain is real, joy is eternal. Because we know that where darkness abounds, joy brings light. Because we know that joy fills the heart up in unspeakable ways, mending unspeakable hurts.

We choose joy because Joy chose us.*


:: STOP ::

*"And while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8