on choosing joy.

so i'm going to be honest. i got really discouraged a couple days ago about this whole print design thing. discouraged because i don't feel like i have a "design style" like so many shop owners have. and discouraged because i haven't had the time to really sit down to learn and work on this project the past week. the best friend reminded me that it takes time to find and create your style. it's a work in progress and it's not one you should rush. so i took a deep breath and sat down tonight to teach myself a couple new tricks in photoshop. one step at a time.

a lot has gone on this summer that has been really difficult and hurtful, and it's easy to turn to bitterness and anger in those situations. i went back and re-read some of my posts from when beth and i were doing our book club on 1000 gifts and Jesus showed me that i had not been choosing joy consistently. it's so much easier to let my heart attitude be negative than to be thankful for the positives. a sweet friend reminded me that i cannot control all situations but i can control myself and my attitude. i'm so thankful for friends who are willing to gently speak truth into my life and remind me that i need to show love, offer grace, and choose joy.

so i made this for me, but i'm sharing it with you :)

// download this //

"count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you the know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

// james 1: 2-4 //