thoughts on joy

I found little Robert like this a little while ago. 

He was happily sitting in the corner of the living room on top of the toy trunk, reading a book.

I had to snap a couple photos of him. He looked so cute!

**************************************************

I'm constantly amazed at how children maintain joy on a consistent basis. 

That's one of the main differences, in my opinion, between children and adults.

They don't seem to let the troubles of this world get them down.

Maybe that's one of the reasons Jesus said for us to "be like little children".

It was a doozy of a day for me.

It started with me running around in the pouring rain outside my house trying to get the little ones in the car. Joseph had a dentist appointment. After I got the kids in the car, I had to run around the house (in the pouring rain) to get the stroller out of my back porch. And the grass was full of big big puddles. 

Then, when I was halfway to the dentist's office, I realized that I had left Joseph's insurance card at the house. So, I turned around and drove home to get the card. By the time that was all done, I was officially really late for his dentist appointment and had to reschedule.

Fast forward two hours -

Joseph then fell off the couch and hit the back of his head on the bookshelf. Big cut, bigger goose egg on his head. Thankfully, he is now fine and didn't need to go the doctor. Just a minor cut and his swelling has gone down. 

I, on the other hand, am not doing as well. My heart feels beaten down. I'm plain worn out. I've had a lot of ups and downs over the past few months, with illnesses and injuries with the kiddos. And I wish I could say that I took them all in stride and stayed positive and full of faith through it all. I have not. 

I am trying to "count it all joy". I really am. 

I am just in a funk, I guess. 

Have you heard the phrase, 

"Fake it till you make it" ?

That's kinda what I'm doing. :)

Anyway, back to children being amazing carriers of JOY.

Joseph had a hard day, but he has remained positively joyful through it all. 

I want to be like him. 

Here's a video of the little ones singing the Bob the Builder theme song tonight.

It made me smile. Hope it makes you smile, too. :)

Watching Joseph sing this song - you would never know he had a rough day!

I am in the school of life these days. And my teacher (aka God) has been giving me a lot of tests lately. And I guess I'll keep taking them until I pass.  Thankfully, He always gives "do-overs" until we get it right. 

His mercies are new every morning.