OK, so the cupcakes didn’t turn out like the picture.  Your hair went straight in the humidity.  Perhaps the kids were all dressed perfectly for church and within two seconds, they were out in the mud looking for Easter eggs.  The egg bake you slaved over, fell flat.  The hot cross buns were frosted too soon and are a mess.  Life is like that.  It really isn’t always like we want it to be.  In fact, more often than not, it’s messy.

There always seem to be roadblocks that steal our joy.  For me this year, it’s been a long running battle with a cold that won’t quit.  Our son and his lady came for dinner on Saturday – they brought the dinner.  Our daughter and her family were also on hand, she brought wine and dessert.  Tuna steak and rib eyes were on the menu and were to be cooked on the grill.  At the moment the meal was to be grilled, the rains came pouring down and plan B came into effect – cook inside.

In the meantime, I was feeling the effects of prednisone and hot flashes and my face had turned cherry red and coughing in streaks where I couldn’t catch my breath.  I felt like an idiot, but I wouldn’t let it steal my joy.  Being with my family is one of my most treasured things to do.

Yesterday, we celebrated with an Easter breakfast at church and a wonderful alleluia filled service.  My friend, who has been battling cancer, walked into church with her husband and two girls and my heart leaped.  This lovely woman, with so much dignity and love for her Savior, wasn’t going to let her joy be stolen either.  She wanted so much to be in God’s house this day.

Life is full of ups and downs, insides and out and we often feel overwhelmed by it.  If we dwell on those things, we can easily be led by depression, anxiety and hopelessness.  By the way, those emotions require a lot of energy.  I’d much rather put my effort into looking for the good even in the times that aren’t just perfect.

Because of Resurrection Sunday, we have a joy that words cannot express and actions fall short.  Just enjoy it.  Don’t let other things get in the way.