Choose Joy
Our luggage came off the carousel one piece every 10 to 15 seconds. We stood for almost an hour and a half, and when we left probably 3/4 of the plane had not yet received theirs. Two very long phone calls during our layover held my rent a car reservation for 24 hours... they said. But that was not the case. Somehow the message never made it from Thrifty corporate offices to the desk in Atlanta.
After half laughing through our story a delightful young woman made it her mission to find us a car. After walking a lot, probably several lengths of a football field, we came to our spot... and it was empty... there was no car there. It was so funny that I had Laura take a picture. Backtrack to see a rental agent once more. We arrived at our destination after 35 hours of travel on the dot. And then in a moment of time, all of that travel was forgotten.
We were with family. Our granddaughters were running through the house with their cousins and the adults were laughing and 'catching up' and playing cribbage. The reunion at the end made it all worth it. What a metaphor for heaven. Jesus tells us, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." This short journey of life is a mixture of pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow, laughter and weeping- but for followers of Christ, it is all covered with a blanket of joy.
Don't allow difficult circumstances or interruptions to your plans to steal your joy. Walking through your day with a bad attitude is a choice.
Living in a constant state of gratitude is also a choice. The first is based on feelings, the second is based on the FACTS of your FAITH. Choose joy, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad
Written on October 29, 2025
Posted in Daily Devotions