Joy and Lent

My whole life people have been telling me I'm such a happy person.
Today I started wondering why that is.
I think I was created to be an optimistic joyful person, by a joyful optimistic Creator.

I know this has been said a million times, but it still rings true:
No matter how bad things get in our lives, it's really our outlook that matters.

I cannot thank God enough for the trials He brought me last year.
It was through that fiery furnace that I really came to understand letting go. Letting go of everything I hold dear except for Christ.
And now that I'm out of that cave, how could I not be joyful?
Not only am I back on my feet, but I am dancing. I'm better than where I started.
Remember Job? If it can happen to him, why not me?

But I wouldn't have made it through without help. Lots of it.
A wise woman showed me through her life how to roll everything over to God.
Another woman taught me how to be a true, supportive listener.
Another taught me not to compromise.
Many blessed me with their own joy in Christ.
And one man proved to me I wasn't crazy after all.

Tomorrow Lent starts. I want to read as many good books as I can.
Not sure what else I need to do, but I'm sure He'll show me.