My mother in law once gave me a piece of phenomenal advice.

“Do something fun every day.”

It was during a time when life didn’t feel very fun. Most of my day was spent in worrying about the future and processing the past. Worry for my kids (who were doing fine), worry for my husband (who was in the same boat I was), and worrying in general.

And it was giving me tunnel vision. Giving me a rough edge that came out in the way I interacted with my family and friends. I was like a wounded animal looking for a way to slink off into a hole where I could lick my wounds in peace.

Nope, not fun.

I think that happens to all of us when we’re encountering a situation with many factors and unknowns. When we want to be able to control outcomes but jobs and timing and relationships depend on other people as well, don’t they. I was caught up in the uncontrollables of the future and the unchangeables of the past and couldn’t see the fun in life.

I had forgotten Sabbath breaths that still my worried heart during the day.

I had forgotten that the Joy of the Lord is my strength.

I had forgotten that when I turn my eyes upon Jesus, and really look at him, all other worries fade away.

So I focussed on joy. I took time each day to stop, focus on God, and do something fun. Reading, lollygagging, a bath during nap time, just things that brought me joy.

I was intentional in pursuing God and pursuing joy.

And the breaks caused a break in my mood and a healthy break in my worrisome spirit.

It gave me new perspective and new vision, and new peace and a way of sinking into the soothing arms of God.