Perspective

Wow, it’s been a while.

Over the last week, I have thought of blogging every day. However, no day was particularly joyful at all. Each day was filled with frustration, inconvenience, and tears. There were a million reasons to say the week was NOT joyful: Mike left (a week ago today), a cashier yelled at me, a school district shot me down, the wedding planning intensified, and my great-aunt died.

All week I really asked God to show me the joy in the week. I even tried to sit down and turn something in to joy, but every time I failed. Then, yesterday, I realized that God didn’t want me to write about one thing. He doesn’t want me to find the joy of one good thing from the week. He wants me to see the joy in the WHOLE week.

I returned to last Friday, the day Mike moved. I made it through a normal day at school. I was getting upset on my way home, when Mom called. Out of the blue she asked if I would like to drive to Natchez and meet her for dinner. A family member was in the hospital there, and she was going to be visiting. Isn’t it sweet how God’s timing just makes everything ok?

Saturday, I was able to spend the day shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses and tanning with some bridesmaids. That night, I got to celebrate a good friend’s birthday. On Tuesday, I found a caterer for the wedding. On Wednesday, I found the perfect last-day activity for my third graders. Yesterday, my wedding gown came in, and today I got a glimmer of hope from Neshaminy School District in PA.

It is so easy to focus on all of the frustration that led to each of those things. That’s just not how it should be. As Christians, we must find the joy of the Lord in our lives daily. It is this joy that sets us apart from those who do not know our Savior. After a week of pity parties, I have decided that I’m going to strap on God’s joy like a wetsuit and get through the next week one day at a time.

What will I miss about Louisiana: fluer de lis and manners.

I will miss seeing the symbol of Louisiana all over the place. I will miss the heritage it designates and the culture it represents. I will also really miss “yes ma’am” and “no sir.” I just think this is something kids should say to adults. Adults in Louisiana don’t even say it all the time anymore. I hope I can handle a lifetime of little Yankees saying “yep.”

Wallowing

It’s tough to acknowledge the JOY in life this week.

Mike leaves in just a few short days. Though there is much joy in the new adventure he is beginning for us, it is very hard for me to let that joy surface. Instead, I want to be sad. I want to be sad that he is leaving me behind for 3 months. I want to be sad that he is starting our adventure before I can start it too. I want to be sad that…well, I just want to be sad. I want to feel sorry for myself that I’ll be alone for the rest of the semester.

That’s just not how it works when Jesus is in your heart though. The thing is…Mike is starting a new journey for us. There is JOY to be found in the new life that is blooming the second he leaves Baton Rouge. God is good, and He has made plans for this new life. Now, that brings some JOY. God has concurred the path on which we are about to walk. I am joyful that my Father has chosen such big plans for us. I don’t have to be happy about it just yet, but I am overwhelmed with the JOY of the LORD!

Things I will miss about Louisiana: Yesterday, I had a conversation with my dad about a side that one of our catering options is offering: “Dad, have you ever had boudin eggrolls?” He answered, “Nope. Sure sounds good though.” I agreed. I’ll miss that unique characteristic of Louisiana food: you don’t have to know what’s in it (and you probably don’t want to know) to know it’s delicious.

Also, I will miss porches. Screened porches. Open porches. Railed porches. Porch swings. Porch signs. I’ll miss them all.