You Know You’re Having a Great Day When….Joy Conquers Fear
Day 188 of Photo Inspirations — You Know You’re Having a Great Day When….Joy Conquers Fear
Yesterday, as planned since this time last year, I headed to the Tulsa Expo Center for “The Affair of the Heart” where there’s over 450 artisans and craftsmen under one roof. I love attending this annual event because I get to take in the incredible talents of those exhibiting their wares: gorgeous handcrafted jewelry, wood crafts, paintings, yard sculptures, clothing, quilts, handbags, furniture, gourmet foods and more. I’m amazed at the creativity of those artists. (They must be just like the FATHER — creative!)
Walking through the exhibits, I saw a long line at KVOO 98.5 Country Radio’s booth. I guess country music qualifies for “creative”. They were giving the chance to spin the wheel for a prize — guess the number the wheel will stop on and you win a prize of your choice. There wasn’t a cruise or diamond ring in the prizes, but the thought of being a winner, enticed me to play. I said, “4”…..and what-do-you-know, it landed on “4”. “Ladies & Gentlemen, we have a winner!” This book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul — Find Your Inner Strength” was my prize choice. I’m with Sunny Leigh, the Radio Host/DJ in this photo. Thanking them for the win, I thought to myself, “You know you’re having a great day, when you pick a number and it’s the winner!” LOL!
I came home and opened the book and found it is made up of stories of those who turned pain to purpose. It fell open to this chapter “Joy Conquers Fear”. This short chapter was by Kim Seeley — a Mom whose daughter was tragically killed at age 19 in an automobile accident. She felt grief She felt guilt that she had not kept her daughter safe, and fear — the fear that just expects something else tragic to happen in her life. But soon, she thought “What type of memorial to her would it be for me, her mother, to carry this shroud of grief and pain around for the rest of my life? Her memory would be better served by my seeking joy and happiness than by wrapping myself in a cocoon of fear and anger.” And next, the words of this chapter that I loved the most….that speaks to me, and hopefully to those of you who are still living in the past and are still shrouded with grief over a loved one’s passing or another disappointment. I knew why I was a winner today…..it came packaged in these words:
“So, today I choose joy. I seek beauty in nature. A beautiful sunset brings a sense of peace. The changing colors of the autumn leaves are a source of wonder. The ocean waves and their ebbs and flow connect me to the rhythms of the Maker Himself. I have joined the choir again, something I had given up for many years. I find joy in the smiles and laughter that my little grandson brings to my world. I will not allow the fear I once had to control me. I am embracing joy. There will be moments that hit me out of the blue, a stray song or random picture that will bring me to my knees in tears. But I will rise. And I will allow joy into my heart and and into my life, for JOY CONQUERS FEAR.”
And Kim’s words are my words, too. I will ALWAYS choose JOY when faced with the options. Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart LEAPS with JOY, and with my song I praise Him.”