To Smile Again

I am in love…

Oh, that satisfying feeling that all is right in your world. That it is all finally coming together. That your hard times are disappearing and there is good around the bend. That you can finally breathe.

Yes, I am in love. But not with a person. I am in love with life. My life.

Months ago I was so down, and I remember feeling so low to a point I didn’t think I had much to smile about. The year had not brought about all I had hoped for, prayed for. If anything, all I have been through would bring most to their knees, as it did me.

But God.

As I look at my life as it currently is, I can see his hand. I have taken many a road that I did not wish to take, or choose to. I have lost a lot this past year… My father, my health, and my heart… But as I really look back (and forward) I see the beauty in the ashes. I see that while I may have missed many things, I have gained so many more.

I now have a fuller view on what is really important. Like the time I spend with my family and my friends and how valuable it is. And my journey to a healthier me has given me more reason to do one of the things I love most, creative cooking. And! Don’t fall out of your seat here!… I have officially been single for almost 3 months! I now know that being single isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, even on my loneliest of nights, I am still enjoying my single life for the first time… Ever!

I love my life. I am in love with my life. And I attribute it all to my God. Because he made me a promise many years ago, and despite all this life has thrown at me and taken away, he has not failed to prove faithful. And I believe he will continue.

Because when darkness comes, and it will, he is my light. I don’t deserve it. But even in the pit, he reassures me I am valued beyond the norm. I don’t understand it. But it’s not mine to know why or how. What I do know is that I am smiling again. Freely. Unashamedly. And it is beautiful! And it’s all because I know I am loved beyond reason. And I can again clearly see this life I live has a purpose.

And so does yours! You are valued. You are treasured. You are loved. He won’t promise sunny skies, but he does promise a rainbow. And that is reason enough to smile! So join me, won’t you?! Ready?!

One… two… three… ‘Cheese!’