NEW DAYS

     This morning I have been thinking about my JOY Bank. That is the part of me where I store all of those amazing things that can bring me JOY almost instantaneously. It's usually just a written word, a picture representing some-thing, an idea, a memory, a voice. You get the idea. 
      The reason for a JOY Bank is that some days experiences, people, or crises, can suck the JOY right out of you before you know it. In order to stay connected, we must have some reserves to access JOY STRENGTH.
      This weekend I experienced some struggles in that area. I find I need to guard my time, my mind, and my heart better. If I participate in activities that sap me without the off-setting JOY STRENGTH, it takes much more time to recover.
      When I feel this way, I can also see my reflection in the mirror: I too, can sap people's JOY if I am not self-aware, listening well, and able to connect in JOY. I've done that this past week too. Then I have to do some relationship repairs if it's possible.
      Thankfully I remember: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord."
      It's a new MONDAY. Thank goodness!

FEELING STUCK?

      My car was listed on the RECALL list for front airbag replacement. I made an appointment at a local Toyota dealership and showed up at the appointed time and place. 

      The dealership has a new building that feels like a self-sustaining city. It's huge, with lots of open space, windows, computer stations, coffee and tea, vending machines, and LOTS OF PEOPLE: employees, technicians, janitors, and customers.

      After "registering," I sat down in the lobby to wait. I brought a book, some writing materials, but mostly enjoyed people-watching. There were people from many ethnic backgrounds, speaking languages I could not understand, young parents entertaining little ones, middle aged and older folks looking at their phones, watching the news, or talking with others. It was a very busy place.

      I moved around a bit, trying to exercise my post-op sore leg and knee. As I sat for awhile at a little round table near the show-room, I watched folks come in to look at cars, while others sat at desks and signed papers for their new cars. 

      Slowly I became aware of movement to my left, behind me a bit. It was like pounding or slapping of some kind of hard surface. What was to my left was a new SUV. I had seen a person checking out the interior, seated in the front. As I looked closer, I saw through the tinted window, the form of a woman, hitting the back door glass. It seemed strange to me.  

       I walked over to the front door of the car where the window was DOWN. I stuck my head in and said to a middle aged Asian woman: "Do you need help?" She replied, "Yes, I trying to get husband's attention. Door is locked and won't open."

       Her husband was seated by the lobby window reading. He saw her hitting the car window, but thought she was just calling attention to the SUV and did not get up to check. I opened the door and she sheepishly got out. Her husband said, "Oh, it had child-locks on it, right?" 

       As I walked back around to my chair, I wondered---Why didn't she stick her head through the space between the front seats and YELL loudly. As I said, the front windows were OPEN!

       I guess we all struggle sometimes to see a WAY OUT of our present difficult situation, don't we? We may be able to figure something out, or we might just need a helping hand!