Joy in the morning

Sweet vs. Sarcastic:
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
vs.
"This is the day the Lord has made, so don't screw it up!"


Either way the message gets across, haha. So today I feel LOADS better than I have all week. God in his amazing show off way has yet again amazed me.


Yesterday I was really down as I have been all week and unfortunately due to choked emotions, my singing sounded awful. Crying really effects my vocal chords due to the physical stress placed on my body, which of course aggrivated me to no end this week, especially since it was auditions week. I've been so busy this week that I just kept putting of practicing my harp. I love playing it and I initially took up the instrument because it was so thereputic for me. My previous teacher pushed me to do competitions and to perform, but that simply made me afraid and took the joy out of the music for me. Yesterday I just wanted a release, just a way to release all the negative emotions I'd been feeling the whole week and I couldn't do it by my usual way of singing. I went to the harp room to go practice and I couldn't find my music! Wah! So after searching for about half an hour, I gave up and pulled out the piece I began last spring. I can honestly say I've never played better. It was such an improvement on my playing, but more importantly it was a huge emotional release for me.


I had my harp lesson this morning and I've never seen my teacher so surprised. For 4 years she has struggled to help me relearn how to enjoy the harp. She told me that she had nothing to say about my playing, that I was playing increadibly well. It was such an encouraging thing to hear. I have a renewed love of harp, and what a gift from Him. He knew the desires of my heart and gave me a wonderful gift to embrace, comfort, and strengthen my heart.


I woke up this morning and with God as my only explaination, I've had a smile on my face and in my heart all day. I love rainy days, puts me in a grab a cup of tea and a good book/ cuddle with a blanket mood. I've had some wonderful conversations the last few days as well as encouraging blog posts and some heavenly hints as well. The title of the entry was inspired by a segment I heard on K-Love this afternoon. We all go through many nights, but there is always joy in the morning. It's so true! Each day is a clean slate, a fresh start and we should give thanks for the precious gift of time and the beauty and love God surrounds us with everyday. I should never let any negativity from yesterday or tomorrow ruin the gift of today God has given me. That's why it's called the present . As emotionally trying as this week has been, I need to remember that each day is new with opportunity. Yes things in life may get me down and can effect my mood, but one thing that is certain is that happiness is a choice. I can choose to mope around in whatever situation I find myself in, or I can choose to make the best of it and focus on the good things.


"Finally, brothers, 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." -Phillipians 4:8


Despite how the devil is trying to keep my mind focused on the negative, I must focus on the positive. I must enjoy the countless gifts God has given me. When I have these times of hardship, it is so easy to take all of my blessings for granted. I hope that God will always open my eyes to the wonder of His works and His plan. I am so excited to see what He has planned for me and for all of us. I know that His plan will be more spectacular and wonderous that I could ever imagine. And if we go through trials, it is for the perfection of our faith. We are being put through the fire to be refined for His work. I want to Him to be able to use me, and in order for me to be useable, I need to cast my care on Him, rely on Him to make me strong, and trust that He will rescue me from the evil in this world that can plague both our bodies and souls.
Blessed be our God! God of wonders, God of gracious gifts, and the God and Ruler of our hearts and minds!