I love all things Snoopy, even though I'm 40 years old. Snoopy was my favorite cuddle toy when I was young. I still enjoy watching the seasonal Peanuts specials with my children, and the sight of Snoopy always makes me smile.
Snoopy reminds me of happiness. You may have heard the Peanuts sayings like "Happiness is a warm puppy" or "Happiness is cookies and milk." When I was a child, I had a bedspread with all kinds of "Happiness is" Peanuts sayings. Most of the happy things were small, or things that you can't touch, like friendships or sunshine.
I need this happy journal now more than ever. As my husband recently said, "Adulting is HARD!" He and I both work too much and take life too seriously. I need to intentionally focus on the lighter side of life or I'll get bogged down in the heavy. By combining Psalm 103:5a with my new happy journal, I will find the joy God wants for me.
Good conversations with my literary agent
Basil seeds that sprouted on their own
Grill season
Fresh raspberries
Free books in the mail (I'm a book reviewer)
Whether they are small or large, I'm recording happy things in my journals. Even when I'm feeling tired, hormonal, or blue, I force myself to write down something good. I find joy in the process.
God has filled your life with good things.
How has God filled your life with good things, friend? Here are ways you can take stock.
Be intentional--write them down, or pray them out loud every morning or every evening.
Be specific--go beyond things like family, health, or your church. God wants to hear the details!
Be creative--take a walk, look through photos, browse your pantry, or look through your closet for inspiration.
Be generous--Know someone else who needs to find joy? Ask them to join you in the happy challenge. I do this with my children, and it even works on my teenager!
Be reflective--Each time you plan to make a new entry, review a few from the past. You'll find joy in God's faithfulness and abundance.
If you have a suggestion for thanking God for the good things, I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
Have a wonderful week!
Blessings and God's peace to you,
Photo from Canva.com
Discussion questions:
- What is the best time of day or week for you to record the good things God does?
- How can praising God for the good things help you on a bad day?
This is good advice, Sarah! I tend to work too hard and take life too seriously, too. God is laying on my heart to have a wind down time before bed to sleep better. I may add this to that time. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly! Thanks for reading. I know you're busy with the new blogging opportunity, and I'm so glad to be included!
DeleteThere is something about being content in the moment. My family tires to share our high of the days at dinner and also our lows so we can pray about it. #dancewithjesus
ReplyDeletewww.viewfromthebeachchair.com
Hello! Glad you read this post and the one on my site. I like sharing highs and lows too. Thanks for inspiring me to do that over tonight's supper!
DeleteI like Snoopy too, I hated breaking a bank I'd had since 1971. I write and pin on Pinterest all sorts of good things, most every day.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca, I'm glad to find a fellow Snoopy fan in you! Pinning good stuff on Pinterest is a habit of mine as well :)
DeleteI love this idea, Sarah! It's no surprise you were tempted by the Snoopy journal. That happy happy cover made me smile as I clicked over to see what you bought! In seeking to record happy events and things in our days we will combine joy moments with gratitude as we read back, pray over and reflect on God's goodness toward us. Have a blessed, joy filled week. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Joy! Hope you like the journal if you decide to purchase it :) Blessings to you too!
DeleteWhen I'm stressed and anxious, I always try to remember God's blessings to me but I can't think straight and forget! Thanks for the reminder to write them all down.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Katie! God's blessings to you.
DeleteLove the idea of capturing all the good things God is giving us in writing.
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa! Thanks for commenting. Love your blog!
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