Choose Joy

The hand of a 103 year old woman holding her drawing

This is the picture a 103 year old resident of an assisted living center drew in the little art class I teach. She laughed throughout the class, as she always does. Her life appears to have been liberally sprinkled with joy. I am sure she suffered all the sorrows of which humankind is prone. After 103 years, she was bound to hit some troughs and dark valleys.

However, it is clear that she chooses joy. She wears a necklace that says, “It’s a good day. I am still breathing.”

She loves God. She is a devout Christian, and spent her working years alongside her pastor husband counseling and helping people in dire need. She said the best moments of her life were helping others.

An aide came in to our art class to take the sweet 103-year-old to her therapy time.

“Did you trace that?”she asked, looking at the drawing.

“No! I drew this myself! I feel like I am only 97 years old.”

Perspective is everything. There is so much sorrow here on earth. Choose joy.

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Philippians 4:4-7 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.