Sunlight Breakthrough

On those mornings when you can't wake up, when the only thing you want to do is crawl right back under the covers and sleep for 8 more hours.  On those days when you feel terribly un-rested, when you feel no different than when you climbed in bed the night before, can you expect or even dream of a happy-filled day?

The answer is, yes.  A resounding yes indeed.

That is, if you turn to Him.

Perhaps it is on these days of sheer exhaustion, when we feel so small and helpless, when the Lord's grace makes the most difference.  We plead with him on tired knees, bowing a heavy head, and then we reach down deep to muster all the faith we have.  And then we wait.  We wait upon the Lord.

Have you ever noticed that the mornings that start out with a storm, or a light rainfall, are often the most glorious days?  For some reason, the sun breaking through the wool-gray clouds is even more radiant than just a regular sunrise.  Maybe it's the contrast of dark to light that is so inspiring.  Or maybe we just appreciate the sun a little more when we've had a dose of rain.  Whatever the reason, let's make the resolve to make today brilliant...even if it started out a little rough.  We can only do this by trusting our whole day to the Master of the Universe. 


For it is He alone who can make for us this resplendent transformation....

Happy Challenge:

Next time your day starts out with a storm, pray and wait upon the Lord.  Then notice the resplendence when His light breaks through your clouds of fatigue.  Treasure this day and record it to always remember.


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Charity

It's as if we're not enjoying life to the fullest if we are not fully possessed with charity.  Charity, the pure love of Christ, is one of the supreme keys to happiness, I believe.  Without it, we judge, backbite, fault find, compare, envy, look down upon, and etc., etc., etc.

The absence of charity is like choosing to wear dark sunglasses everywhere.  Outside, inside, everywhere.  If we were forced to do this, eventually, we would perceive that the world is just a dark place, devoid of much light.  And while we would think this was the norm, think of how much we would be missing.

Or you could compare the absence of charity to the absence of glasses when they are truly needed.  Anyone who has experienced the blurry vision of poor eyesight knows that glasses make a world of difference.  I remember when I first got glasses.  I was in 2nd grade.  We drove home from the eye doctor and I could see every leaf on every tree.  The detail was exquisite.  I couldn't believe all that I had been missing.

I think it's this way with charity too.  Until we choose to wear the lens of love, we don't really know what we're missing.  But the exquisite detail that comes from a simple paradigm shift is incredible.  Life is more beautiful and happier.  And we are happier too.  Choosing to see others as our wonderful Savior does is not just for their sake...it's for ours.  Until we learn to consistently take off the dark sunglasses, or wear our prescription glasses, we are missing out on one of the most enlightening and enlivening keys to happiness.  With charity turned on, we see the world around us (including the people) as beautiful.  Everything is beautiful and we are happy.

Happy Challenge:

For today, choose to take the charity prescription and watch your happiness levels skyrocket:

...charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. ~Moroni 7:45

And then, do it again tomorrow.  And the next day, and the next.  Until charity is not just a habit you're working on developing, but it becomes part of your very nature.  And then, happiness will be your lot.

Happy 4th.

Think back over your years of 4th's of July.  Think of the words that describe your memories, the colors, the smells, the sounds.  The birthday of our country is always filled with vibrant fireworks that puncture the night air, warm parades with crazy floats and lots and lots of salt water taffy in pastel colors.  The nobility of the flag passing by and the pride that swells the heart with love for all that those stars and stripes represent.  This year can be another lovely memory added to the vault...

Happy Challenge:

Relish every part of today. Then record your memories of the day to keep forever.  Not just what you participated in, but the sights, the sounds, the pungent smells.  Be descriptive in your journal to fully convey the details of your holiday.  It will be so memorable to go back year after year and read your July 4th entries and how they change and mold over time....

July 3rd. Holiday of the Heart

Today is July 3rd.  Which means tomorrow is July 4th.  Before all of the festivities begin and we get caught up in the parades and fireworks, could we use today as a pre-celebration, a quiet one that takes place only in our heart?

Happy Challenge:

Today, or tonight, walk outside barefoot and feel the soil upon which you stand.  This ground is part of a vast, sweeping country that is free and blessed by the hand of God.  Let that thought sink deep and feel surging joy of living in a free land and country that is so very blessed.  Revel in this glorious truth for a few sweet moments and then turn your thoughts or voice upward to heaven in praise.  Thank our Heavenly Father for the blessing of living in this free country.  Thank Him for giving us this promised land in which to live and grow our dreams.  And thank Him most of all for the blessing of being free to worship Him.  For this is truly the greatest privilege we are granted in this, the United States of America.

Happy Challenges.

Monday brings a new week and a fresh start to developing a good and happy character.  I could barely drag myself out of bed this morning with how tired I was feeling.  Perhaps, I should embrace this lazy summer day and just be happy. Especially with the small and simple.

Happy Challenges:

*Walk outside and let the summer morning air refresh and invigorate you.

*Pray for a loved one throughout the day, or for the fires, firefighters, and those whose lives have been adversely affected by the wildfires.

*Dream up your next family vacation with all of the beautiful details.

*Write a letter to someone you love or admire with an I Love You or your favorite scripture (a little idea from my son...what he's been doing this morning)

*Be a good mom.  Make cookies. (Another idea from my son :)

*Eat a slow and savory breakfast.

*Forgive someone who has hurt you.

*Have a spiritual lesson with your little ones or other loved ones and share your testimony of truth. 

Storytelling

I've always admired those wonderful people who could make up stories in their heads, and tell them to their children with adventure and thrilling action.  I've tried.  For a long while, Little Bear's bedtime stories consisted of a little frog named Rupert who did exciting things.  I think he loved them, but after a few months, my creative juices ran dry and I didn't have any more stories about Rupert left.

It has been two or three years since I've attempted to be a storyteller, but yesterday at snack time I tried again.  Our story started with King Romeo, Queen Juliet, and Prince Fabio.  Episode 1 ended with an action-packed bear attack, and today they will find out the exciting next chapter.  I promised them that every day at snack time we would continue the story.  They were sad yesterday when the story ended, but they are readily anticipating today's snack time after their nap.  They even tried to talk me into storytelling at lunch.  I wanted to keep the snack time tradition, but I agreed to tell them a story from when I was little instead.

I hope this becomes a treasured tradition.

Happy Challenge:

Stories have the ability to transport us to new lands and live adventures safely from the comfort of our own homes.  Is there a little one in your life with whom you could begin storytelling?  There's just something magical about watching a child's eyes dance with wonder as you spin for them tales of glory....

Line Upon Line

Yesterday during my scripture study, I read a verse that has always been a favorite, but really spoke to me this time.  2 Nephi 28:30--

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more;

And I wondered what line He would give me today, what precept He would bestow. 

Later in the day, His counsel came.  I have been struggling a bit with Little Bug who just loves Miss Muffin so much that he can't leave her alone.  He hugs her and kisses her and squeezes just a little too hard.  He just doesn't quite understand that because she is a baby he must treat her differently.  Every time he gets near, she starts to cry and I spend the next ten minutes trying to separate them, usually to no avail.

Well yesterday was no different.  I was playing referee and prayed to know what the Father would have me do.  After all, He knows more about how to reach my little ones' hearts than I could ever hope to.  The answer came.  I sat Little Bug on my lap and explained to him how he must be ever so gentle with his little sister.  This part was not new; the teaching is ingrained daily.  But this time I added that his little sister is somewhat scared of him and we role-played different ways to be gentle.  I explained that she will love him and be so excited to see him if he is soft and gentle.  He seemed to understand to the best of his 3-year-old ability.  And for the rest of the day, every time he would approach Muffin, I would utter a small reminder, "Remember to be soft so she will love you."  And he was. At least, much more than usual.

It was a line upon line, precept upon precept moment for me, and it made me realize how much the Lord cares about each and every one of our daily needs.  Last night I had the thought to pray for a specific need that I see in each of my children.  Then I pondered what the Lord would have me do.  I can testify that He answered...at least a little line and precept to try for today.  And this morning when I awoke, I thought to myself, "I wonder what line and precept Heavenly Father is going to teach me today."  I happily await the manifestation of His hand....

Happy Challenge:

*Ask the Lord to teach you a small and simple line or precept today, then write it down when it comes.

*Or pray for a specific need you or a loved one may have and wait upon the Lord to give you the line upon line answer you are seeking.