Awake In The Night

Ever have those nights that you wake up in the middle of and just can not get back to sleep no matter what you do? That is what has happened to me today. I got up at 1:30 am and just could not fall back asleep, I laid in my bed until 4 am before giving up the idea of getting back to sleep. Now normally, I would be okay with getting up in the night. However, today just so happens to be day 2 of my temp job that I started yesterday. 

So what was going through my mind as I laid there awake? Well, a lot. One thing that sticks out is how a supervisor yesterday thought I was laughing because I have a smile on my face. Now, I was not laughing, I usually have a smile on my face and it takes a lot to get it off my face. I would have to be sick or hurting for it not to be there. I just think that smiling is healthy for you and it brings joy to other people's lives as well. But, as I was thinking more there is so much more to smile about. 

I have traveled to East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. I have seen many things that can be very hard to explain. I have seen people sick and dying, kids without food, and people without homes. I have spent time among people that do not have much, but are so happy because they know Jesus and thats all that really matters to them. I know people in America that go nuts if the power of the internet is not working. Yet, people in other countries can go days without power, some never use the internet, they don not even have clean water and still they are so full of joy.

As I think about all of this, I can not help realize how blessed I am. I have a roof over my head that keeps me warm in the winter, and dry when it rains. I can eat three meals a day, turn on a faucet and get water. And this is just the beginning. Also, knowing that I have Jesus living in my heart is so much more. How can you not walk around with a smile on your face? I can not wait to be able once again to go out to the Philippines and be apart of what God is doing there and rescuing those that are trapped in human trafficking. Until, then I will be joyful where I am. At home, at the temp job, wherever God leads me.

I want to challenge you in this. Instead of focusing on the things you do not have, look at what you do have. Be thankful for everything. How you view things can bring you lots of joy.