God Carpe Diems

*Disclaimer: This article has nothing to do with sewing or quilting.  Eek!*

I read this article awhile back.  I understood what the writer was trying to express.  Motherhood is hard.  There are those times where you do not want to enjoy the moments with your little ones because they ran away from you at Target or they are back talking to you in front of strangers.  I totally get that.  But I don't agree.

I felt out of the loop because a lot of people felt enlightened by her article but I was not.  Nothing against the writer because I find that I do like a lot of her articles.  I think she is a great example of a Godly woman.  But at the end of the day, it all came down to my "Life Verse":

Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In my hard times, which when we think about it are not really that hard in comparison to what others are going through in their lives, I am always reminded that I need to be joyful ALWAYS.  Not sometimes.  Not when it suits me.  Not when things are going really good.  ALWAYS.

Even when G trashes his room right after I cleaned it for him?  ALWAYS.  Why?  Thank you, Jesus, he has a room to call his own and toys that I put up after he was able to play with them.

Even when I find out that we are about to spend $1000 on our truck?  ALWAYS.  Thank you, Jesus, we even have a truck and that he has provided us the money to cover our expenses.

Even when I am 27 years old and still have another year in school and I just want to rip my hair out over it?  ALWAYS.  Thank you, Jesus, for my education.  For allowing me to learn about the things that I am passionate about and to meet amazing designers who also know and love you.  Thank you that I am never too old to go to school.

And no, I'm not perfect.  I'm not good at remembering to be joyful always.  I lose my temper and act just like my three old does when things don't go my way.  But thank you for God's grace that he's already forgiven me and in my anger, he reminds me, "Be joyful always."  And I will choose, even while grinding my teeth, to be do just that.

I read this article this morning that sparked this topic again for me.  Ann Voskamp summed up every feeling I had over the first article.  I encourage all mommies, daddies, girls, and boys to read it.

xoxo,

Anna Joy