So, you had a bad day.
I've had many conversations with people asking me, "Do you ever have a bad day?" or "Do you ever yell at your kids?" I've heard people through the grapevine other people asking about me, "Is her family always that happy?" Or something like, "Is that actually what their real life is like?"
Don't get it twisted.
We have bad days.
Yes, I yell at my kids sometimes.
And also, yes. This is what real life is like for us because life is freakin' awesome. We are often smiling. Laughing. Having dance parties. And my optimism towards life is by no means, a façade. I am, to the core of my very being, a glass half-full kinda gal. It's just me. I don't have to try hard to find the bright side of a situation. My mind automatically thinks that way and my attitude naturally shifts in that direction.
That doesn't go to say that I don't have bad days, that I never yell or lose my patience, or that I get overwhelmed. Because, I do. Bad days come, I lose my cool and flip out at the kids, my patience runs thin and I am ready for a glass of wine and a hot bath at 4pm. But more often than not, I keep control of my emotions and am able to step back and get a new perspective on a situation. I can see the light through the shadows and make the best of the moment.
That is a core personality trait of me, though. And that doesn't make me better than anyone else who maybe has a slightly "darker" viewpoint on life, it just makes us different. And difference is what brings such beautiful diversity.
In my encouragement to you, it is not in attempt to make you only see sunshine and rainbows around every corner, but more for you to be divinely who you are in Christ and tend to seek and find His joy in your life more often than not. It is to thrive in how He created you, and try to see the optimisim in more life experiences.
I don't mean for you to be enthusiastic and theatrical in your expressions and demeanor, (as you may sometimes see me display), but it is the opportunity for you to embrace the peace in a rainy day, the humor in a less than stellar poopy diaper accident and the tranquility that can come from purposefully choosing patience in a rushed situation.
When I share something from my life, I want it to give hope, to show a new perspective, and to shine the light of Christ. To give the glory to God and spark even the tiniest amount of joy in your own circumstances.
We go through similar trials in life, you and me. We both fail. We both face challenges. We both hit the pavement.
Let's get back up together. I'll be there, reaching my arm down to help leverage you back to your feet.
"If one person falls, the other can reach out and help." Ecclesiasties 4:10
I'm just here, trying to help you back up. Because you are capable of so much goodness in the world. Whether or not you see the glass half-full or half-empty. Because you are precisely uniquely you. Just as God intended. Focus on your strengths, improve your weaknesses and know that there is always room for a little joy.
I have my bad days too. And sometimes, no matter how hard I try, the disparity of a rotten day can take me over. But more often than not, it's a lot of sunshine and rainbows over here. Because I want to be intentional about how my days are spent. I'm never guaranteed another so I need to get my heart and my mind in the right place- on Jesus. He is the giver of all good things.
Maybe you appreciate my obnoxious joy, or maybe you secretly are really annoyed with my "always optimistic" posts. Possibly you think I'm "fake" or possibly you think I only show the best of our life, and it's only showing our highlight reel. But hopefully, this entry today gives you a little insight into my truth. That the bad days do come, and through them, I try to share the hope in Jesus through the trails and tribulations. In an effort for that hope to spread.
Joy on, friends.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15