Daily 5 - Day 40

I always like it when I hit the 40 day milestone in something. Such an important number in scripture, and I've also read that it takes 40 days for a habit to be built.

For forty days now I've been making a concerted effort to choose life and joy. Some days have definitely been harder than others. When I woke this morning, it seemed that it was going to be a harder day, I didn't know what it might hold. But it was lovely, and here I am, showing up for the 40th time to celebrate life. And joy has begun to bubble within me, and it is oh so welcome here.

Today's daily 5:

1. the birth of a baby daughter to some friends I've know for years
2. hugs from friends I get to see rarely
3. moments of victory, big and small, and being reminded that there is more strength within me than I know, thanks to Jesus
4. a beautiful fall drive, filled with confirmations of purpose and life
5. "I Surrender" by Kim Walker - a song I'd never heard before, playing at just the right moment for my heart.
   

New Life...

It's raining today, and my first instinct was to groan. I'll be doing some highway driving, never my favorite thing today, and the thought of doing it in the rain felt just a bit daunting.

And then I remembered that it is a new day. A new week, and that we are on the last day of the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, and a new year.

And that all summer I've been loving the rain. Feeling joy and hope in it. Seeing in it new life. The promise of the spring that would finally break the seemingly unending winter I've seemed to be living in.

So, in a day that seemed bleak, and a day that is full of uncertainties, I am choosing to find hope in the rain. To find joy and peace and rest in it.

I received news this morning that is granting much hope and strength. Some long time friends (I've known them since we were all in Young Life together in high school) celebrated 9 years together earlier this week (6 dating, 3 married), and this morning, my friend brought their first child, a little girl into the world. Her name is Annabella Fleur, and the birth of this precious much anticipated little flower is a miracle of new life that I needed to hear about today.

So, I'm going to celebrate new life today, and remind myself of that as I see what the rest of the day will hold.