Be Happy

The wind was crazy blustery as I walked into the cute storefront downtown. Mary Poppins would have been a disheveled mess at a house other than the Banks’ home. I opened the door to a room full of women gathered to create a customized work of art, all wearing cute black aprons.

My eyes darted around, but my friends were no where to be found. I was directed to a private room for church’s girls night out. I was really glad that I was in the right place at that right time! Walking my wind-blown self back through a room of unknown faces and out into the wind because I messed up was not what I wanted to do.

Our paint night was so much fun! We asked one another for guidance as we selected the colors for our creations. We rejoiced in adhering our stencils to the boards and gushed over the finished treasures. It was fun to hear how each woman was planning to use her art, and I can’t eait to see them in their spaces.

This new piece of one-of-kind, hand-crafted artwork will be prominently displayed in one of my sons’ bathrooms. He’s grown and pretty much flown, but I still call it his bathroom.

I chose this stencil for several reasons. I love that each day is full of new new mercies, and that we have a choice to be happy, to find joy in the Lord and carry that attitude throughout our day. My morning today started with prayer and opening the YouVerse app to the verse of the day, and I tell you I was so happy. What a glorious verse, don’t you think?

“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This is our verse of the day. This verse speaks of being so close to the Lord that he is a trusted confidant who not only hears our cares but is a source of comfort. Not just a comforter, but one who takes any care we have and turns our attitude to cheer.

I read this verse and immediately thought of each woman who was at painting last night. They are my cares. Their cares are my cares. God not only hears and cheers through his spirit, but through his people. This means I need to be invested and intentional in building relationships with my church family. So I may care and encourage. And I can be cared for and encouraged.

 It’s amazing how God packs so much into so few words. So many ways God is good. What resonates with you today as you read this truth? Is it your many cares? Does your soul need God’s cheer? Is the Lord giving you nudges of new cares? Are you prompted to be cheer and serve a sister? Are you resting in the splendor that God hears you and wants to bring you joy in your cares?

 Let’s pray this verse today, with our cares and his cheer. Let us wake up and be happy.