Monday; Are We Shining Our Lights?

It's another Monday. Am I shining my light today? Raining. Storms are threatening. My allergies are terrible or do I have a cold? I have a bit of a headache. Am I shining my light? My body is somewhat achy. Yet, I feel happy. I think my light is shining. Unexplainable happiness. Why? What could bring on such happiness?

Much is going on in life at the moment. A lot of busy "stuff" and some things that I'm not even discussing publicly and yet I feel happy. My light is shining. My husband loves me, my family is wonderful, and my friends are the best. Peace...could that be the answer? I feel the peace of God inside my soul. Deep within where it doesn't make much difference if there is sunshine or rain outdoors. Deep within my inner being there is a feeling of lightness, peace, and joy. My light is shining.

You can smile when it is a dreary day, when you are facing difficult circumstances and when you are perhaps too tired to do anything else. Happiness doesn't always require great energy, but feeling angry, depressed, and irritated at the world does. We all have those days where we feel those feelings. It's okay. However, I choose for it not to be my lifestyle. I want to lift those up around me. After my friends leave my presence I hope we will feel just a bit closer to God and that we are making a difference in the world.

People are often observing us, even when we aren't thinking they are. Are we shining our lights? Do others see in us what we claim to have? Rather, do they see the one we claim to have within us? Do people see Jesus in my life? Is my light shining?

Happy Birthday Beverly

Today my sister turned 40. We are now for almost two weeks only one year apart. I think back to the years we shared a bedroom, clothes, make-up, secrets and the phone! I never thought I would get my turn. We would sometimes lay awake at night talking and giggling. Those days are gone and I wonder if I could go back if I would try and capture more moments; make more memories; try harder to remember more. Perhaps I would, but then again, I might keep things just the way they are. I have many wonderful memories to fill my heart. Iwonder if there is such a thing as an overload of good memories. I suppose not...but what if there were. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEVERLY! I love you!