Today is my birthday and I have fun plans to celebrate! It includes enjoying a day with no wind and no rain. Plus warm temperatures! (If you don't live in Iowa or the Midwest, it has been more than chilly....)

As I was reflecting this morning, I couldn't help but think of all the JOY that God has given me.....one day by one day! Even when Merry was sick. Even when she passed away. Even with Jim's long-term heart condition and ultimate death. One day at a time.

But after loved ones are gone or someone moves from our area, I, at times, recount things I could have said. Should have done. Shouldn't have said or done.

I want to suspend those thoughts. If they were filled with JOY when they happened, why think of them now?

I need to not only embrace the JOY of today, I want to recall the JOY of all my yesterdays. And begin to celebrate the JOYs of all my tomorrows.

The Bible is full of JOY. A couple that feed my thoughts often:

"Heart, body, and soul are filled with JOY."

~ Psalm 16:9

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"Always be full of JOY in the Lord; I say it again, REJOICE!"

~ Philippians 4:4

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