Start each day happy?

It is a Saturday, and a rare one when there are no appointments on the calendar. This allowed us to leave the alarms unset for the morning. Yet, I woke before the dawn. My heart is heavy, causing sleep to elude me. I am hurting for someone close to me, not sure how to help. It is difficult to wake up with an unsettled mind. How do you cope on such days?

Life’s hardships do not stop the clock. There is still an entire day to get through. I proceed with the necessary tasks: change over the laundry from the night before, feed the children, get dressed. Finally, I am ready to feed myself. Reaching for a plate, I pull out the closest at hand. It is a Holly Hobbie plate stamped with the words, “Start each day in a happy way.”

At first the words seem to mock. How can you start each day in a happy way, especially days that begin with lack of sleep and an abundance of concerns?

A possible answer can be found in the Psalms.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his^[a;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100

I realize now that it is possible to start the day, each day, with a level of happiness. It is possible when, even just momentarily, we lift our eyes to the heavens to the one who knows and cares. Isaiah 51:12 states: “I, even I, am he who comforts you.” For that alone, he is worthy of praise.

So, now my perspective has shifted and I am able to conceive of one way to start each day with happy praise. For God is good, always.