With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am reminded I have so much to be thankful for. I have the gift of life, an awesome son, loving family and friends, a growing business, and more. Out of all these things, I’m most thankful for the gift of joy.
It took me a few years to get to a place where I can truly say I’m happy.
Things have not been easy. My life is far from perfect, but I’ve never been in a season of my life where I’ve laughed and smiled so much until now. I’ve learned that my life doesn’t have to be perfect for me to be happy.
Happiness is choice. <<Click to Tweet
Over the last few years, the holiday season has been difficult for me. It was during this time three years ago that my world was turned upside-down. As a result, I didn’t care for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. I was holding on to the pain I experienced during those holidays.
Holding on to the past kept me from experiencing the gift of joy. Now I know, it is one of the greatest feelings in the world to let go of the past and forgive those who hurt you. This wasn’t something that happened overnight for me. It took a couple of years. The journey was difficult. I went from being married, then separated, and now divorced in a co-parenting relationship with my ex-husband. I was angry, hurt, and confused. I never could’ve imagined that I would be raising my son in a single-parent home. But God has kept us.
Jesus is the center of my joy.
Through all the hurt and pain, He never left me. During those months when I cried myself to sleep, He was right beside me. When I thought about taking my life, He told me He had a purpose for me. When I couldn’t pay my bills, He provided for me. When I questioned my worth, He reminded me that I was worth dying for. (John 3:16) It’s because of Jesus that I am able to smile again.
…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. – Psalm 30:5
Now I’m here to tell you…If you’re going through a difficult time in your life there is nothing that God cannot do to get you through it. The process may be painful, but He will see you through. If he did it for me, I know He will do it for you.
…Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10
Wodline is a mompreneur, wedding planner and savvy startup specialist who loves the Lord. She is passionate about empowering people to follow their dreams. She loves writing in her journal and hopes that in sharing her testimony young women will be inspired, uplifted and encouraged by her story.