Wearing emotional sleeves

I have the tendency to wear my feelings on my sleeve. Everyone in the world knows how I feel. I have a hard time hiding it. And I feel like I'm being fake and not true to who I am if I try.

When I am happy and feeling talkative, people flock in my direction. But more often, I am quiet and tired, or sad, or just plain frustrated with my kids. I have a hard time faking joy in those moments when I have none. God calls us to find joy in all situations (James 1:2), but it is sooooo hard to do.

Last Easter was particularly difficult for me for a number of reasons. But mainly I think it was because satan really wanted to steal my joy on that very special day. Anyways, it doesn't matter why I was upset. I just was and everyone knew it. "If mamma ain't happy ain't nobody happy." Most people avoided me that day. One young lady, though, walked right up to me and gave me a big hug. She said, "Looks like you needed this today". And I did. If I had known her better, I probably would have burst into tears right there on her shoulder. But I was in a public place and I tried my best to compose myself. I treasured that hug on Easter morning and still do. I needed a hug. God knew it and He gave it to me. I was still sad most of that day, but I found hope and a small glimmer of joy in my heart.

It's these moment that I now look for in other people. Moments to encourage and bring joy to those who have none.

Thank you to a God who loves me no matter what I am feeling. Thank you to friends who love me in the same way. Thank you to people like this young girl who listened to God telling her to give me a hug. Thank you for letting me be me and work through my life~ laughter and tears. If we didn't have the pain, we wouldn't know how good the joy really feels. So cry when you need to cry. And give a hug when you see someone needs it.

Lovin Hugs,
Karin