Choosing Joy

It's been easy to focus on the negative lately.  Easy.  My heart still aches thinking of all of the lives that will forever be changed with the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday.  I've been reading the stories and looking at those sweet faces and it's just so incredibly sad.  I've definitely been struggling to process the grief and sorrow that naturally comes when events like this happen.  Add to that the fact that this afternoon, there was a shooting in the town next to us, and it's been incredibly challenging to feel peace or security these past few days.

All that being said, life is hard... but I'm also reminded that I've got choices.  I can choose to continue to focus on the sadness... the sorrow... the hurt and pain.  Or, I can choose to focus on the goodness that still continues around me.  I can see the incredible blessings that shower my life each day.  I can process the sadness, but also be reminded of the healing and joy that will come in time.

I'm going to choose the joy.  And tonight, these sweet girls helped me take a step in that direction.             

A few weeks ago, my sweet friend Tabitha shared that her Girl Scout Troop was making Christmas cookies and they wanted to share them with the people and ministries at our church.  So tonight, I walked over to the school to meet this amazing troop and was immediately surrounded by a group of wonderful girls.  They each worked hard to make beautiful cookies to share.  It was heartwarming and it was good.  I could see the excitement and pride in each girl's face and it was so amazing to get to share in this special night.  A huge thank you to Ms. Tabitha's Girl Scout Troop for the delicious cookies and for the encouragement that you brought to my heart tonight.  

Just a few words of encouragement.  As we go throughout our days, let's continue to choose joy.  Let's see the good, in the people around us.  Let's soak up the many, many blessings that we have to be thankful for.  Let's love each other and continue to pray for those who are hurting.  Our challenges might not change.  Our circumstances may still be ever so difficult.  But we will change.  We will make the choices that will change our perspectives and it will make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us.