Joy Comes in the Morning

"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalms 30:5). Last week my Mom was facing surgery, and now it is done. She did so well! I requested prayers for her. She experienced chest pains and had a small heart attack before her surgery, causing the doctor concern about her ability to withstand the surgery, but in the end, there was no choice. The cancer had to be removed. Well, thank the Lord, she survived and is thriving now. I talked to her last night, and she is optimistic and strong. I am very proud of her. While she was in surgery, I felt helpless. I couldn't be there. All I could do is pray, and pray I did! I was so relieved when it was over, and my sister told me that all had gone well. Like I said last week, my God is bigger than any challenge that presents itself. God is in control of each and every day, and each and every circumstance. My job is to stay in peace and faith while I await God's best. God never lets me down! "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).

Happiness is You! Chapter 11 & 12 - Be Happy with Who You Are and Choose the Right Thoughts

Hebrews 13: Let your conversation be without love of money, satisfied with your present circumstances; for he has said, I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.

This is hard to do isn't it? Hard for me anyway. I sometimes look at what the other guy has and I envy them and sometimes have bad feelings toward that person. What a negative way to look at things! I need to concentrate on what I do have and be thankful for it! Living an attitude of gratitude also means being grateful for what others have as well and being happy for them. Novel concept, heh?

Patty and I recently went down to Eureka Springs, Arkansas to spend a little time with Tori, Caleb and Kaya (Sierra was in Colorado with her Dad). Tori, who is notoriously not an early riser, insisted that we all get up to view the sunrise on the winter solstice. This meant getting up at 5:30 am on a Saturday morning. Now I am typically an early riser and this is my regular time but on Saturdays I try to sleep in. I got up a bit unenthusiastically but I did get up and we made our way to the top of the Crescent Hotel in the wee dark moments right before sunrise. I was so glad to have done so. The photo for this blog came from that morning and I wrote a poem to show my gratitude for the sun! Here it is....

Winter Solstice 2007

Eureka Springs, Arkansas via the top of the Crescent Hotel

Oh Man Sol, we love you so!

You bring us life, joy and fun

And we are eternally grateful to you,

The all life inspiring Sun.

We sometimes take you for granted

And that is indeed shamed,

But without you we would be nothing

But ice, stone and animals untamed.

Thank you Lord, for the gift of your Sun

Because you speak through it every morn

To each, to all, to every one.