Thursday, December 4, 2008

Finding JOY!

It's been quite the journey the last weeks/months. A journey of sadness and pain, upheaval and emotion. A journey we wouldn't have asked for or chosen, but one that was allowed upon us, only to the amount we could handle.
The sadness itself has been more real than I've ever experienced. Not really because any of these situations hit directly to home, but mainly because my husband wallows through the trenches of the pain and sadness daily. He tries not to 'bring it home' with him, but sometimes he has no choice.(this is a later post).
Oh, it may be more than some could handle, and definitely not even close to what you may have gone through, but for us, it was enough. I clearly remember talking to God one evening, and asking if he could just say "ENOUGH".

My lack of posts was a reaction to this "stuff", it's hard to write honestly when you feel sad. Why make others sad? Which is mainly why I would post pics or stories of the babe, because she brings me daily joy. (As they all do.)
God remains faithful to show me the humour around me.

Case in point: (please bear with me, I hope it reads as funny as it was. I will try my best to explain)

Yesterday, when I arrived at work, a co-worker informed me I was to be on my best behaviour. No singing, no dancing around the store, no fun. There was to be a "head honcho" from head office coming to inspect the store/staff. It was meant as a joke, but we all were well behaved. The man came and stayed for a large chunk of the day.

Now, let me explain that I was the cashier. The regular girl had asked for the day off ,and since I will help out whenever I can, I said I would go on cash. This time of year, we aren't very busy, so they day can become quite boring if you are on cash. I bide my time with some paperwork I bring up, but since you are mainly alone, one can tend to daydream.
Because the 'man' was gone, I felt free to be myself again. At which point, I became dangerous.

I had finished with a customer, thanking him and watching him leave, when I believed I was all alone, and the store was empty of customers.
I began perusing my papers, feeling the beat to the radio, tapping my foot, swaying my body, mouthing the lyrics.

I guess I liked the song, because at one point I bellowed (yes! Bellowed)
"WHAT"YA GONNA DOOOOOOOOO!!" using full vibrado, while tipping my body backwards, playing my imaginary guitar, strumming like rock star!

In a split second, I looked around, to find an old man (whom I did not know was standing there) STARING at me with a reply of
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT??" (exactly what he said!)

I did not know how to respond.

I simply started laughing, and did not stop for atleast 5 minutes. Deep-down-belly-jigglin-eyes-full-of-tears-please-help-me-catch-my-breath laughing.

God is so good.

13 comments:

Shaun and Holly said...

Laughter is VERY good medicine!

Sorry life has been so full of pain, lately Amy. Praying more laughing fits come your way soon!

Shari said...

I can just picture you doing this! My biggest surprise at our ladies retreat was the response to Karaoke. Some women later shared how ministered to them deeply and broke off grief!

So sing and dance your little old heart out girlfriend!

Shari said...

p.s.

I do a lot of the photos and simple stuff for the same reason.... when life is intense - I like to keep my blogging simple and light.

We love you and Mike deeply and are SO Blessed to have you a part of Desert Stream. We are praying for you and your household!

Much Love
Shari

Rhonda said...

That is so great! You had the perfect response to his not-so-perfect comment. :)

Jen said...

YOU GO GIRL!!!!
So much better to laugh through the tough times than to get dragged down into them...I bet that man did chuckle later when he was relaying his day.....you might have been the most outrageous thing to come into his life in years!

We are praying blessing and peace over you, Mike and the kids...it is so sad when people lose hope in their lives.
Love to you from the Piers

Maureen said...

Laughter is the best medicine the Great Healer gives us.
Praying for you and Mike during this difficult time.It was hard moment for all but the Lord was right there the whole time.
I know this in my heart of hearts.

Amy said...

Thanks guys!! Appreciate all the prayers and warm thoughts.

Mo--I assume you are talking about Mike's coworker? Yes, this was the tipping point, and still, at times surreal, yet this journey began long before that and contained some hard, emotional battles within.
Laughter is medicine from the Great Healer!!!

Tammy said...

Oh Amy how I can see you doing that!!!! God is good to bless us with moments of laughter at ourselves. You either laugh or cry and it is better to laugh!!!! love you guys, I think its time for another love fest!!! Todd said the other day how he would like to get together with you and Mike. So lets make a date!!!!!! K??!!!

Nana Cheryl said...

Perfect!! I LOVE IT. God knows just how to break into our day and bring JOY!! Often it is when we start singing again that the breakthrough comes and it bursts through the walls that have been built around our sorrow. I'm sure this gentleman was expecting an uneventful (and even boring) trip to the hardware store - you brightened his day too! :o)

Ris said...

I am so sorry that you and your family are going through a difficult time. Will keep you in my prayers. This story is AWESOME. Gotta love being you! Even if he thought you were crazy, whatever, you have fun!

Melody said...

Amy....I could so relate to what you said about knowing that others may be enduring much more, but what you have been dealt seems like the most you can handle. And also the part about not being able to blog much during the sadness. Thanks for your honesty. Thinking of you and praying for you and the family. Our babies are truly gifts that give us such moments of joy!

Roxanne said...

Laughter is soooo good. I have experienced a lot of healing through laughter...and often at myself! My family has witnessed this on many occasions.
I pray that you will have a real time of relaxation and fun on your family trip. It will so great for you to get away as a family.

Tamatha said...

lol....I love the mental picture of this post!:o)