joy...happiness...collision...

Happiness is the volcanic-like eruption of Joy. It comes and goes, not always visible, and the conditions have to be right. Joy is the vibrant, fluid, active, passionate "stuff" that sits under the surface and IS there always. Happiness is the "stuff" that energetically shoots out of the overflow of our lives as a result of the Joy that is within us. Lately for me it has been a really great movie that brings it out (go see ELIZABETHTOWN) or a collision of life's circles of influence that lead you to see your life from a few hundred feet's perspective. Whatever it may be it causes a temporary vacation from the pensive state of late.

If you actually know me, then you likely know that I am wading through a season mentioned in my earlier postings that is one of greatest transitions and reshaping times of my life. My pride is asking me to make sure that you are aware that it isn't a result of major sin gone unaddressed, lack of motivation or options in my near future and for damn sure it is not laziness and lack of vision. It may be lack of CLEAR vision, but it is not penalty...it is preparation. I think.

I have been happy the last few days in a way that I have not for some time. My worlds collided in the last few days. My old church family, with my new, my old roommates with my current roommates. My old friends with new friends, and my past with my future. Robbie and Dan made me feel like it hasn't been 5 years, B and Teddy made me feel like we were at home again. And, in the strangest of places, meeting a friend of a mutual friend who wants to pray me through this season of my life. Jesus followers are amazing sometimes. And not to mention my pastor was wearing camouflage cargo pants on a random night...I think that is the freaking coolest thing out there for some reason. (not a militant thing there folks...but a fashion thing...evidently camo is back...and in many colors)

::: SHIFT :::

One thing I have been pensive about is routine. Routines seem bad, it implies robotic , life-less and non-considered actions. But, these are good things. It means that there are things that need to get done on a regular basis that really require little thought at all. Things like coming home and washing your face and brushing your teeth at night...they benefit your appearance and all around health of your body. You really don't need to consider whether or not you should do those things.

Then there is the interruption of routine. When life goes through a transition and all major blocks of routine are gone and scattered and relocated. It is during the reshuffling that the emotions get involved. This is where I have found myself wondering and unsure of what to place in place of things that held that place. Follow me there? Read it again...it will make sense.

The point is this. When routines change the enemy can really get you if you are left by yourself with blocks of open time in your routine. I am not advocating placing things into the routine just to be busy, but to be sober minded when finding yourself and myself with blocks of open time. Money can play a role into this, not having any leaves you at home instead of out with friends having a good time on the patio of Thomas Ave Pub, one of my favorite places.

Change in sociological groupings, workload, demand, and even just whether or not the season is to be one of pensive thought and angst all can play into this stuff. But, the lesson is that the LORD Almighty gets what He wants and deserves quite honestly. You can prepare all you want for challenge and 'be prepared' to walk through a time ready to minimize the pain, but if you are called into the pain, you are going to go through the pain...if that is what it takes to open your arms up for worship in a new way as a result of the new room of God's heart you have just walked through. It is all worth it.

::: SHIFT :::

A friend of mine said to me one time, "I think I realy like that word majesty." I agreed. Majesty is an amazing thought. If I were to talk to her today I would say, "You know, I think I really like the word radiance." and...END SCENE