Good Monday morning, friends! Let’s start this fresh week out with some positivity, because anyone breathing right now can see that the universe needs more of that! Turn off CNN and FOX News for a bit and let the world and election drama take care of itself while we take care of OURselves for a few minutes.
Mondays are frequently the hardest day of the week. Assuming you have had the luxury of a weekend spent cheering on your team, relaxing, or even working on a project close to your heart, Monday spells the end of that freedom and a return to reality. Most heart attacks even occur on Monday mornings, partially fueled by all of the stress hormones flooding the body. (This means I could literally die any day of the week, since I seem able to conjure those up without regard to any calendar!)
One of my all-time favorite characters, Madame Blueberry, once learned in a life-changing episode of VeggieTales that “a thankful heart is a happy heart.” She had misplaced her hopes and dreams on all of the stuff this world can offer, and she found that the harder she tried to have it all, the worse things got. Apparently, she had no shortage of money, because she was the Stuff Mart’s number one customer. And still she was dissatisfied. In fact, her home became a miserable place because it was filled to the brim with stuff. 
What kind of stuff is crowding out your happiness? Maybe you are a little bit like Madame Blueberry, chasing happiness with your credit card. Or maybe you have stuff no one else can see bursting at the seams of your heart. Past hurts, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and worry clutter our spirits and crowd out any hope for joyful living. We’ve all been given a fresh, unblemished Monday that we can use however we want. I know, I know. Kids have to be fed breakfast and educated, employers are expecting their 8 hours (or 12- shout out to my fellow nurses!). But here’s the deal. Nobody but YOU owns the real estate between your ears. You alone get to decide what kind of thoughts to carry around with you.
Here’s some encouragement from the Good News Translation for you to dwell on this chilly, autumn Monday. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead His Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. The God of the universe has given you power to do what He has purposed. He did not make you to be a shrinking violet, or a victim of your circumstances. His love gives you courage, and the ability to share with your fellow travelers the spirit of generosity and kindness. Self-control refers not only to your behavior, but your attitude. Psalm 31:24 exhorts us to Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord. Be COURAGEOUS! (Spoiler alert- Madame Blueberry is a recovering hoarder, seeking to find joy through gratitude and relationships. I just love a happy ending.)
elephants for dinner 