Last night we saw these puzzling lights on a building that seemed like a lot of effort with little purpose. But as we walked around the corner we had a full view that the random lights actually created the word JOY. We all had a moment of clarity that clicked with the proper view.


I am still learning that so much of how I see and experience life comes from how I choose to embrace it.
We convey with others the different difficulties of life but the last few years I am often told people are hesitant to share with me because they feel that their hardships seem insignificant compared to mine.


I know that everyone has their stuff that is hard for them and I am sad that we minimize our trials because someone else out in the world has experienced a more difficult situation. I know I have even said and done this myself feeling guilty in my hurt knowing someone else has it worse. I also know that although this is accurate it doesn’t discount the true feelings we are able to undergo in our own life experiences. They are there for our growth and to help us have empathy toward others. I love the interactions I have had because of the similarities in what we have been through.


I am embarrassed to admit my old perception of a single mom. But now that is a part of me and I am surrounded by a community of single women and men I totally relate with.


Some would say I still have the ideal and others that I lost it all in divorce. Some see divorce as freedom others feel it’s devastating and unfair. Some prefer their time single especially without the abuse of a marriage and others would still live in the negativity to avoid the loneliness. For some the idea of church alone is daunting while others long for the day to go solo.


Heartache is universal and I know this year has especially brought new hardships for everyone.


I know I choose to find the good in the suffering because it helps me heal. I choose to see Christ and His miracles. This doesn’t diminish my pain but instead I choose to use it as a catapult to move me forward finding JOY in my journey.


In an unpredictable world what are you experiencing that with a little bit of hope and change of perspective you can also see and feel the JOY?