The Little Things Bring JOY

The little things bring joy! Smiles, hugs, a song that swells in your heart, try to imagine the awesome aromas of spices, like cinnamon or nutmeg for a quick fix, or the magnificent piece of chocolate eighty-five percent pure cocoa.

In the darkest places, one can share in rescue by allowing yourself joy! At least allow it in enough to catch your breath! Close your eyes and breathe, taking in the surrounding beauty masked not in a costume, but rather by a neglectful eye.

In the circumstances, we forget the little things, however, the little things are huge in tough times. When we give joy the attention to work its magic, unbearable stuff becomes, well, at least manageable, if we submit to an invigorating drop of solace.

Explore the possibilities of finding invigorating pearls of joy within the nightmare, what about candy the amazing gift of sugar, or even sugar-free candy, the sweetness astounds the palette, right? The instant touch to our the buds and you're taken to a place of contentment. The spontaneous reaction occurs without conscience and when one reacts to the yum! In moderation, we have no worries. Candy is one thing with a delectable joyous boomerang to the sweetness. It's okay, “I get you, I do, I am you and we will get through the next few seconds to the joy, just hang in there, we can do it."

Slam your senses with goodness, this is yet another method of immediate joy when something smells fabulous it distracts and you want to stop and find that awesomeness. That deliciousness needs me, have you said this? Maybe the scent was a sweet perfume, a candle wafting of apple pie, or snickerdoodles baking in the oven that evokes a response from you. My guess is that few can deny the swirling aroma of various coffee beans or chocolate? The lovely soothing aroma of a nice chai tea warms some. Regardless of how the scents draw you in, they are wrapping you in warmth and comfort, as if to say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we will get through this to the joy, just hang in there, we can do it."

Music finds you with a bounce on the eardrum, you may have had emotions of chaotic craziness, even serious ugly crying that engulfed your body in a painful fire just moments before the sudden respite comes. With the melodic notes they pierce your heart and tears subside, the most hopeful reaction occurs both unexpected and welcomed. You feel somehow taller, ever stronger, confident, as if to say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we will get through this to the joy, just hang in there, we can do it."

Hugs, here it comes! Some people refuse hugs or they are uncomfortable, however, there're so many ways to hug. The squeeze is an absolute and met with retrogressive action. Regardless of how it finds you good or bad, it's a constant in our society, especially in desperate situations. When met with counterbalance it can still be okay, because deep down we all need to connect. It is often difficult, but you are undeniably present in a hug. If it is recognized that the hug is hugely undesirable, then hug with your words. Undeniable pain causes desperate action and we all need to build one another up, as in the hug we say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we are going to get through this to the joy just hang in there, we can do it."

Smile, “I like smiling, smiling is my favorite!” Thank you, ELF, the movie, for forming this quote in our nostalgia. Seems so simple, right? Just SMILE, so why do so many forget how to? Well, I suppose it's because the world and the day-to-day negatives creep in so very languidly. Yet how quickly the frown makes itself notable. Often we don’t even notice our slippery slope to the downward turn of our expression. The heaviness steps in and takes our joy. The next time the negative attempts its prowl; look earnestly for its counterpart the simple beauty of the smile. The smile that can always be found, if nowhere in your surroundings, it can assuredly be found under the sheltering protection of your very own heart, as if to say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we are going to get to though this to the joy just hang in there, we can do it!”

Now, you fill in the blank I find JOY in my nightmare by__________________?

You’re amazing; you're just as you were meant to be. Jesus gets you, He sees you, He knows you. You are going to get to the joy because Jesus wants you and with Him all things are possible.

Don't get hung up on the small stuff rather focus on the little things of joy. Don't hold anything back. Remember the little things can bring joy. If you find Him in every little thing! Make sure you surround yourself with peeps that will hold you accountable to remember the joy in the dark places. Keep looking to the light in the darkness, you can do it! Everyone is a little broken and missing the joy but with a friend like Jesus, all things are possible! No more holding back from Joy!

Make sure you surround yourself with peeps that will hold you accountable to seeing the light in the dark places, you can do it, everyone's a little broken, but with a friend like Jesus, all things are possible!

No more holding back from joy, I bet you find that Joy in Jesus!

• Always look for the good or at least the useful in all things.
• Remember the little things, looked at in the right way, can be the joy in the storms.
• little things are always there to make you smile in the big trials of life. Often we need to clear away the clutter re-focusing, but there is always something that can make a really big, really tough thing, just a little lighter.
• Keep your sense of humor, the most horrific situations can become the funny in your future, depending on your perspective.
• Keep looking up and wait for the rainbows. They will come, sometimes it takes some time to build them, but they always come.

A lovely woman was making a soufflé and having quite a bit of trouble so she said, “please God just this once, let it be perfect, please help!” It flopped, so she tried again. Saying, “ please God let it be perfect and I will forever be yours and do whatever you ask,” and again it flopped. So one more time, she worked meticulously separating the eggs taking her time and begging, “please God, really, I will spend extra time with You and, never lose it and…” She carefully went to the oven and pulled out a masterpiece, it was amazing, and she said, Thanks anyway God, I know you were busy, I did it myself!", hahaha did she really do it herself?

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

2 Samuel 22:50 “Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.