A Happy Day Post

I'm really pumped about the title of this post.  I'm pumped about it for a couple of really great reasons.

First of all, this is something my dad would say.  I remember coming down the stairs in the mornings to be greeted by my dad (usually in his underwear), eating a bowl of grass (fiber cereal).  He would simply say, "Happy Day!"

It always made my day.

Secondly, I'm pumped because today is a happy day.  I knew I couldn't keep my most recent post, a post of lament, when today was a good as it gets.

Here are the reasons for my happy day.

I woke up to my wonderful mom gently telling me it was time to roll out of bed.  My gorgeous niece with her Albert Einstein morning hair climbed into my arms for a perfect morning hug.  My nephew sleepily snuggled me while he yawned and slowly convinced himself to wake up.  I stepped outside into the fresh air in one of the most beautiful places on earth (our family farm).  The drive I was dreading was tolerable and gave me a good time to reflect on the events of the past week.  I got to catch up with some close friends on our ride back from the airport.  I took an amazing, amazing nap.  I had a good workout. I made a yummy dinner and cleaned my apartment.  Outside the birds were singing and it was one of those 'days like these are the reason I live in Iowa' days. Now I'm smiling just thinking about my happy day.

To most of you reading this, it may seem like a boring day in the life of Anna.  But, today was something that I needed, a happy day.

I've realized the reason for my happy day.  As most of you know, I went to a funeral of a good friend from high school this weekend.  It was rough.  During the service there were times when I lost it, but I was smacked upside the head by something that the pastor said (as if that wasn't enough, I was reading before my nap today and this hypothetical slap became a much intensified and reiterated punch in the head).  He was talking about the 'reason' why something like untimely death happens.  He said (something along these lines), Our God is not the God who promises sunshine and roses all the time, He is not the God who keeps you from hurt, pain, loss, or defeat.  Our God is the God who pushes, tests, and tears down.  He is the God who comforts, encourages, and builds up.  He is the God who walks with us through our hurt and pulls us up when we have our big day of suck.  Our God is the God of the death and the God of the resurrection, he is the God of despair and a God of hope, He is the God of my crappiest days and the God of a day like today.

Today was a happy day because I needed some reassurance that this God I trust and love still knows what I need, and I got that reassurance.

In honor of this happy day I'm going to leave you this picture....my dad eating his bowl of grass in his underwear...."Happy Day."

It makes me smile every time.  :)