Finding Joy

Let me paint a picture for you. It's the last day of Christmas break around 4pm. All the Christmas decorations have been put away. The toys have been purged and organized. It is a beautiful afternoon: sunny, but crisp. The back door is open allowing the sunshine and cool air to spill into our freshly cleaned house. Total contentment.

And that's when it happened. I broke my pinky toe walking into a chair. Chaos ensues. 

Two weeks later I am still using crutches about 80% of the time (ridiculously obnoxious, right?!?) and am being forced to depend on others while I lay around as much as possible. In theory this sounds like a dream come true, right? Yeah. It was. For like 2 days. 

I am not a sitter. I enjoy rest as much as the next person, but I thrive on keeping things running like a well-oiled machine. Sigh. My machine needs oil and I can't walk to the oiling can. 

I'll be honest. Finding joy in less-than-desirable circumstances has always been something I've struggled with. It is much easier for me to fall into a temporary state of depression (and grumpiness if you were to ask my family!). It is something I know I have to work on and guess what? I'm getting my chance. 

So in this season, I will find joy instead of letting joy find me. 

Today I found joy while watching Chaz play Star Wars. I found joy in wearing my pjs all day and not putting on makeup. I found joy in opening a box of Channing's Girl Scout cookies and eating a whole sleeve of Thin Mints. And my favorite way to find joy...getting a head start on our organizing project for February by going through my files/paperwork. Yes. I think I will be ok. 

One of my favorite friends told me this week that the Lord reminds us when we need to rest. Even if it's uncomfortable. This reminder brings me joy because even though I am struggling to understand the purpose in all this, I know the Lord knows. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIV