Take Time To Play

Galatians 5:22   "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," 

I am a serious person. Sometimes I wonder how I ever got this way. I honestly don't remember a time in my life when I ever acted "silly". I have always been responsible. Quick to do the right thing and slow to do anything in the name of "fun". I am so overwhelmed with the responsibilities of life, that I sometimes forget that my Heavenly Father also wants me to experience joy. I have started to realize that I need to change.

Don't get me wrong.  I believe that there are times when seriousness is necessary and important.  I know that there are times when it would be inappropriate to laugh and play.  But, I have spent so much of my life doing the serious things, the responsible take-care-of-everyone-else things, that I have forgotten what it means to take a few unplanned moments for joy.  

I forget that happiness isn't something you choreograph, or something you need to spend lots of money and time on.  It is something that you find by recognizing and enjoying the simple moments that happen on a daily basis.  The moments that you miss if you are not paying attention.  The smiles that light up, not only the faces, but the eyes, of your children.
The sharing of a cherished toy or a hard earned snack.  The kindness when you least expect it.  The willingness to do something they don't like, simply because you like it.  The laughter, the giggles, even the good-natured teasing of sisters who live together and care about each other (most of the time).   The support, the encouragement, the love in all it's many forms and faces.  Especially the love.
Life is full of so many moments.  It is easy to let them pass you by.  It is easy to forget that life is not about going from one big thing to the next.  Instead, it is about all the small, in between, happy go lucky, amazing little things that make up each day and give us the strength to go from moment to moment.  The strength to persevere, the strength to continue on, the strength to be who we need to and want to be.

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.....
"These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
John 15:10-11.

Happiness

by Patricia A. Pitterle

Happiness

Doesn't just happen.

You have to watch

For it, in the moments

Of life that come

Whizzing by.

Those minutes

That don't slow down

And wait for you to notice.

If you are not paying attention,

Those simple opportunities 

Will pass you by.

I have learned that

You have to be willing

To see joy wherever it might hide.

Money or possessions

are not as important

As your willingness to look.

You can find it in moments 

Of seeming darkness

Surrounded by difficulties and trials.

You can also find it  

In the brilliant sunshine 

Of peace and contentment.

You find happiness

In the hundreds 

Of little moments in your life.

Those small, simple things 

That remind you 

Of what is most important.

The whispers of God

That speak to us from

The smile of a stranger,

The touch of a friend,

The comfort of family,

And most of all, love.

The love that shines forth

In the eyes of a child.

The squishy, bedtime hugs

And sticky, anytime kisses.

The moments of life that give us

A glimpse into eternity.

Joy is there

Waiting to 

Jump into view

As soon as you are willing

To reach out from your waiting

And embrace it.