this 'n that

i can hardly watch the news lately

it seems like one sad story after the next

and my heart feels like it is aching for something...anything...good to happen

could we have something really really joyful happen, Lord?

i'm thinking humanity could use something brilliant...

but while we're waiting, the little joys and the hidden goodness can satisfy a hungry heart

what if joy looks like strolling with babies down a quiet alley?

maybe goodness is finding snacks for dolls in chunks of concrete?

could we find happy in a small pool crammed with three kids on a blistering hot day?

joy splashing and giggling and pouring out as they squeal over the cold water?

the oil of gladness as i watch him love her?

that big, wide open smile that neither of her sisters had....

and those sparkly blue eyes that they all share?

deep, deep happiness in a shallow pool?

and if that's not enough to convince me that God is still here, amidst all the bad news.....

He puts an exclamation mark on what He's telling me by letting me hold a brand new little, just hours fresh and whispers that the apparent lack of goodness is really just my lack of looking for it...

my lack of making it happen.

so today i'm purposing to see the joy

and be the joy

and not let one drop of all this goodness go unnoticed.