My Happy Shoes

These are my happy shoes.

Sometimes I wear them because I am happy.

And sometimes I wear them because I’m not happy, but I really want to be.

I had one of those days this week. One of those days where I woke up in a funk. Sad stuff was happening to people I loved, I’d gotten a nasty critique from someone I’d sent my work to, two of my kids had a cold, and I could feel those first tendrils of stuffiness making their way to my head.

I wasn’t happy. As a matter of fact, it was taking lots of effort just to put a smile on my face. It was wobbly, it was tight at the corners, and it disappeared as soon as I was alone.

So I pulled out the big guns. My happy shoes.

Because when I’m in that place, that funky sad place, I find myself constantly looking down, as if my heart is making my head too heavy to hold up.

However, when I wear my happy shoes, they remind me to look up.

I see their stubborn, colorful flowers, and I’m reminded that this sadness is temporary.

Maybe not as temporary as I’d like (after all, I still have a cold and I still haven’t responded to that critique), but compared to the eternity I’ve been promised, these days full of worries, hurts and disappointments are pretty darn temporary.

As I looked at my happy shoes, I was reminded of this prayer I wrote down about a year ago. Here it is for you in case you’re in the midst of your own sad, funky day and can’t seem to find your own happy shoes.

Heavenly Father,

I come before you today with overwhelming love for who you are. I know you gave me life for a plan and a purpose, but also out of love for who I am outside of that. I know you sent your son to take away my sin, and to give me peace with you. I praise you as the Lord of Lords and the King and Kings, who has all authority and control.

Sometimes I mess up, God. Sometimes I let my worries pull me away from you. Instead of seeking your face, I seek my own solutions. When that happens, please remind me of these words you gave to me in Philippians “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

More than anything I want the peace that can only come from you. These worries are persistent, but I trust you to take them and fill me with your peace. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your constant care. Thank you for your peace.

Amen.