I didn’t plan to wake up grumpy.

As a matter of fact, I wasn’t grumpy when I woke up because it was a snow day, and that meant I had a free day to catch up on all my personal business.  You know, emails, filing, laundry, etc…

Maybe not “fun” stuff, but things that always give you a sense of accomplishment when you can cross them off your to-do list.

A steaming cup of coffee on a bitter cold day (school was actually cancelled due to the below freezing wind chills, not the snow), some time in The Word, and I’ll be ready to start the day.

Only it didn’t quite go as planned.

OFTEN it doesn’t quite go as planned.

Therein lies the problem.

I make my plans, and when the plans get changed, the ‘ole Oscar the Grouch in me sneaks right out of the trash can!

I didn’t plan on an oil change today.  I planned to stay in my pj’s until all my grunge work was done, but my husband’s sudden brilliant idea to get the oil changed in his truck meant that I needed to pick him up at the dealer before any of that could happen… including coffee.

Oh, I planned to take my coffee with me, and microwaved it extra hot before pouring it into my to-go-cup.

Grumbling in my mind, I just happened to notice the 99.1 JOY FM t-shirt that I was wearing, (ugh! conviction), so I resolved to make the best of this little interruption as I grabbed a sip while heading out the door…

…and you guessed it–(thus, the title)– coat on, keys in hand, husband waiting, and that wonderful cup of java leaked right out of that travel cup right onto my JOY.

Yep.

What do you do when you spill hot coffee all over your joy?

Well, the way I figure it, you laugh or you cry.  And one of those will determine the way your day will go from there.

I CHOOSE JOY!  Why?  Here’s only three of many reasons:

1. I am thankful:  We have TWO vehicles! We only had one car for the first 12 years of our marriage.  Thank you, Lord that we have dependable transportation and I have a vehicle of my own that gives me freedom that I would not enjoy if we only had one.  So many in our world are thankful to have even one car.
2. I am blessed:  My main “interruption” is not an interruption at all–it’s my 9 month old granddaughter, and I am privileged to have her.  She is a joy and a delight.  She melts my heart and makes me smile every day. Thank you, Father, for this incredible privilege called grandparenting.
3. I am free:  By surrendering my life to Christ, I am free to enjoy whatever He brings to my life on a daily basis.  His plans are always perfect.  He is always at work, and it’s my job to participate in what He is doing around me.  Thank you, Jesus, for giving me life and purpose and meaning.

When life interrupts, it’s often hard for us to see beyond ourselves.  I sure don’t want to spend my days (or my life) that way.  I’ve been reading Ecclesiastes, and it is a good reminder for me that so much of what we think is important in life is actually futile.  What we value in life can be changed on a whim if our priorities are not where they should be, and the only way to keep our focus clear is to consistently and persistently fill our minds with TRUTH.   Coincidence that the verses I’ve been reading in Ecclesiastes come to mind on a day like today?  I think not.  It is precisely why we have to fill our minds with His Word, so when we are faced with a choice like that, we can clearly see how God would want us to respond.

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

I love it when God steps in to remind me of His plan, forgives my selfishness and renews my spirit.  Nothing warms my heart more.

Not even coffee.