Archived – April, 2015
Hello, friends! Happy sunshine-y day! I have to tell you that this incredibly beautiful day is good for my soul… deep-down, warms-my-soul, breathes-new-life, kind of good. As much as it is hard for me to admit in the moment, rainy days compounded with a busier than usual day (or 10) and unmet (self-imposed) deadlines were weighing on me the last few days.
Today, I was reminded of this verse:
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
I highlighted it several months ago because Paul’s words are straight-forward, reminding us to rejoice continuously (oh, that’s so hard!) and to think on the positive things. But, I truly want to focus on finding the joy in each moment and today is the perfect day for a list of joys…
-Whatever is true: Coffee is delicious. Coffee is DIVINE when it is savored with a friend and a side order of time together OR when it is enjoyed alone from a mug at your table at home (not in the car).
-Whatever is noble: My husband works incredibly hard for our family. He leaves before it is light outside on many occasions. As we’ve settled into this routine since we’ve been here, I’ve come to appreciate a few minutes almost every day of conversation with him each morning in our semi-dark kitchen as he fixes his coffee. I could get all sappy about how handsome he looks in his suit each day, but I won’t. 😉
-Whatever is right: To-do lists make my world feel right. Today I added two things to the list after I finished them, just so I could cross them off… because it is RIGHT to cross things off your to-do list. (I’m not sure that this is what Paul had in mind when he wrote this to the church of Philippi, but I took a little liberty here and have decided to embrace the way God created me with a deep down love of a good list.)
-Whatever is pure: My fast-growing son still looks like an angel when he sleeps. William wasn’t a good sleeper when he was a baby, but still I can remember creeping into his room, trying not to breathe too loudly while I watched. This morning he was still asleep when I went in to get him up for school. My heart skipped a beat. He is full boy and no baby now. His face still looks the same, just older; he still sleeps the same way, just takes up so much more of the bed. That moment felt like pure, quiet joy.
-Whatever is lovely: The blue of the Texas sky is truly one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It is completely cliché, but as I walked this morning, I was taken aback by the beauty that was revealed in the shades of blue contrasted by the array of greens from the trees following the rain.
-Whatever is admirable: Each of my friends has beautiful and unique characteristics that fill me with admiration when I think on them – loyalty, compassion, humor, humility, organization, empathy. Thank you, friends, for sharing them with me.
Take a moment today to read Philippians 4:1-9, perhaps it will speak joy into your heart, as well. Moments and things do not have to be earth-shattering or overly spiritual to be excellent and praise-worthy. They can be simple and quick or slowly-revealed, life-changing discoveries. Today I will concentrate on these things.
Many Blessings, Bethany 🙂