She Laughs

I am terrible with emails. My inbox is always overrun with unread emails. In fact, over the holidays, I hit a new high- or new low, depending on how you look at it- over 1,700 unread emails. There are a few people in my life that can't stand this problem I have. For some, is bothersome- really bothersome, to have unread emails. Who knew?
Well, anyways, I signed up for an automatic, daily email. While I am sure that means there will be days that the automatic email adds to my unread email total, I am looking forward to the emails.
My church sends out a daily SOAP email. SOAP = Scripture, Observations, Application, Prayer.
This is a good thing.

Lately the SOAP has been going through Proverbs. Today, it is on Proverbs 31.
There are many words that challenge in these verses. Today, my heart is moved by these words in particular.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future.
²⁶ When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.

She laughs without fear of the future. I want to live without fear. I want to laugh. Not that long delirious laugh I sometimes have when I am overwhelmed. I want to laugh with joy.

She gives instructions with kindness. I'll be honest. I have four kids and my instructions are not always shrouded with kindness.  I will focus on that.

SOAP is a good thing for me. It is a great start to each day- a little strength to go. I am not sure about the dignity but I am quite certain that reading scriptures with help with that. My words are not always wise, but then again, scriptures should help with that. And, of course, scriptures will help with any kind of instructions I give and the way I give them.

I am not afraid of the drudgery of this day. I laugh in the face of my fear of insignificance and doldrums.


Oh, and this morning, my unread email count is 26.