JOY IN THE STORM

"How are you having fun right now?"

Taking off, full speed ahead, after the ball was released, I'm not sure Oakley Anne would have heard my shouted question. Or would have cared to.

Oakley and I have a routine. Every morning, when it's both warm enough and light enough for my liking, we go outside. Here, while I pick up the yard, Oakley chases my haphazard tosses through the lawn, usually bringing the ball back to me covered in dry grass, dirt, and spit.

As a lover of order, and a lover of fetch, we are a pair that never skips on the first task of the day. Nothing sways us from the plan.

Not even trash-can throwing winds and icy drops of rain. Though, one of us may have thought such weather conditions were worth the reconsideration.

Because she has me wrapped around her littlest toe, and I was already dressed and out there, I spent fifteen minutes in a storm, participating in fetch and garbage duty.

The entire time, neighbors could spot a grumbling mass of gray and sweatpants, holding her hood down in one hand and the pooper scooper in the other. Surrounding her in the yard, they would have noticed a basset hound refusing to get off of the porch, and a mastiff lumbering around lazily. If the neighbors were lucky, maybe, just maybe, they would have caught sight of the yellow flash of light ripping after a ball. Having the time of her life.

And she really was. I didn't matter that it was freezing, that the lobs were less than enthusiastic that day, or that her lower half was painted in mud. Ball secured in her toothy grin, tounge-lolling, and feet dancing, Oakley approached me each and every time with excitement and joy.

Believe it or not, I am trying really, really hard to be like her. To find happiness in the storm.

That's kind of what my life has felt like, as of late. A raging storm. Thunder, rushing gusts, focused streaks of lightning, and water that pelts you when you're already down.

Stuck in the eye, I've tried desperately to find my way out to. To claw my way out. To force my way. To pray my way out. Nothing has worked.

This has led me to feel abandoned. Unheard. Hopeless. Overwhelmed. Forgotten, or maybe rejected by my Heavenly Father and my Savior. Perhaps that the lesson only this turn in the weather can teach me gifting me the worth to be brought back to Them.

Lies, every single one. However, feelings none the less.

Unable to stand my ground any longer, it is easy to toy with the thought of giving up. No longer battling the trials that swirl around me, but instead giving way and letting them wash over me.

Oakley Anne, and a loving Heavenly Father, however, have shown me a different way to contend against my storms. Choosing Happiness.

It has become apparent to me that these chilling gusts and cleansing rains are not going anywhere any time soon. Fighting against them is exhausting, mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Our loving Father in Heaven has a plan in all, so rather than work to end them prematurely, why not let them carry me where I am supposed to be?

Easier said than done, because we all know, hardships stink. Horrifically.

However, even in the hardest of times, bright spots can be found. Beautiful breaks in the clouds, light streaming through. Even in a rainstorm, fun can be had, fetch can be played. So, why not do it?

Why not seek out the joy even when hardships surround us? They are going to run their course, no matter what we do. Why not try to enjoy them as much as possible? It is difficult to stand against the wind, so why not dance with it?

Fall in love with another book boyfriend.

Call your brother.

Clean the bathroom while listening to your favorite podcast, or having your own jam session.

Find opportunities to laugh until you cry.

Pick up a new hobby.

Give yourself a moment to veg.

Go for a car ride with the windows down, if you are in NM. If not, enjoy the fact that you actually get a Fall 😂

Play with your dog.

Serve someone else.

Of course, choosing to participate in a new activity doesn't change our circumstances. The hard times will continue to try to knock us down and learning to cross stitch is not going to fix the deep-rooted problems that afflict you.

However, I know that it can help. I've seen it in the eyes of my sweet dog. Rather than let her circumstances, or the attitude of her owner, define her, she chose to have fun in the miserable. She chose to fight the rain in her own special way, and it brought a smile to both of our faces.

A day later, I can't even remember what the rain drops hitting my face felt like, or how mud caked the bottom of my shoes. All I remember is her smiling face.

And the fact that hours later, the sun came out, shining through the storm, reminding us that good times can break through the hard. The Son will always reappear.