Choosing joy, praying for gratitude

Some mornings I awaken and really want to roll over and go back to sleep. It’s those mornings I know I have a choice in how I view the world and if I want to be a part of making my corner of the universe a better place.

I think about Proverbs 15:30 which promises “a cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

I try to take a positive approach. If I decide to briefly burrow into the blankets instead of going back to sleep, I say a prayer attempting to start my day over with divine guidance.

I try to recall all my blessings for which I should thank the Lord. I’m alive — that’s a good place to start! I take an inventory. I’m healthy and those I love and who are dear to my heart are also doing OK. I ask the Lord to keep them each safe and help them with their health issues.

I ask for divine assistance with what may be in my path that day. I request guidance in helping me not trip myself or others along the way.

In our culture, a smile usually conveys delight, sociability, happiness, joy or amusement. As the day progresses I try to remember my smile is a reflection. I’m being helped to make my day and the day of others a better place to live and work.

My smile may not brighten others’ day, but what they don’t realize their day is much nicer because I chose to ask for help to get me through my daily journey. I called on the promise in Romans 5:3-4 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”