Creative Rather Than Destructive

I recently began reading Madeleine L'Engle's autobiographical series and wanted to remember something she said when a lady at a party told her, "You're a very happy person, aren't you?"

Her reply:

"I had, at that point, legitimate reasons to be miserable. But her question stopped me in my tracks. I looked at her in surprise and gratitude and said, 'Yes, I am.'

This was ten years ago. But the answer is still the same. The better word, of course, is joy, because it doesn't have anything to do with pain, physical or spiritual. I have been wholly in joy when I have been in pain--childbirth is the obvious example. Joy is what has made the pain bearable and, in the end, creative rather than destructive."

Here's hoping (praying) that looking back on this season, I will see His fingerprints at work, even in the dark places. That I will learn to respond with "Yes!" when asked if I am "happy", regardless of my circumstances, simply because I am walking through this time with Someone who loves me deeply. And that what He will create out of this will be beautiful, that dwelling in suffering will be faith-building and give me the tiniest glimpse into that of my Savior, and that He would be brought glory.

Perspective

Today's joy:

Crema coffee shop with the best mocha in town. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffin. Journal and Bible and books nearby. Freshly straightened hair (that I'll never be able to repeat!). View of the rolling Nashville hills in the distance. Steady stream of cars over the gateway bridge. Breeze through the mimosa tree across the street. Week at the beach with my family ahead. Remembering a weekend of celebrating the birth of my best friend. Glimpse of the steeple of the church where we got married. Our neighborhood across the river that holds so many things that I love: my husband working hard on his latest project, our home, our precious community of friends and neighbors, a place where the gospel is breaking in ....

Enjoying every second of my day off ..... thankful every week for Tuesdays when "weekend Mandy" emerges .... for time to visit with friends, to be productive or to be still. Such a gift.

A Long Time Coming...

So, I now have a blog.....

Hmmmmm, I feel a lot of pressure for my first post....

I have played with this idea for a while now. And with the persistent encouragement of my husband :) , I'm giving it a try. I have no idea what this is meant to be: a way to keep up with family and friends, a way to stay connected, a way to get things out of my head and process, a way to stretch my writing muscles and be creative, a chronicle of the working of the Lord in and around me, a way to look back and see His fingerprints in this life..... hopefully, all of the above.

I like records of things, to look back and see patterns. To see what you couldn't see in the moment. And I like playing with words and journalling and writing......and capturing snapshots of life. I long for joy in the midst of the abundant life that He promises....thus the title. Recording moments of joy, or reminders of truth in the times where it seems absent, are what this will be about....

So, here's to the beginning.....