For a while now a change has been coming over me. I’ve mentioned many times here that I know time is a vapor and I want to savor every moment with my family that I possibly can…
During Christmas I became increasingly aware of this. So much has changed in the past year. Struggles, loss, hurt… but also, redemption, love, joy. Life is full of it, all of it.
There are seasons we go through, no doubt.
Sometimes those seasons overwhelm us, but once they are gone we ache for those times. I sit and remember the time when my children were small and I felt that I was always trying to play catchup and never really hitting the mark. It was a hard time with 4 young ones.
Ask me if I would do it all over again.
My answer… You better believe it.
Why? Because I know things now, I know things that I wish I knew then. But mainly because as I can look back on them now, with all four of my children in double digit ages, and I can see the preciousness of that time. The times of little feet and little hands. The times of rocking to sleep. The times of crawling up in Moma’s lap and wanting only me. So beautiful.
The season I am in now is wonderful. I have four very independent young people. Still needing guidance and assurance, but very much coming into who they are as a person. It too, is a beautiful time. A joyful time. With each season of life, we can find the joy.
Thus the change.
The time to find Joy is now. I don’t know what season of life you are in, but Christ has given you the ability of abundant JOY! He has!! You just have to CHOOSE it. Joy doesn’t come from stuff. Joy doesn’t even come from people. Joy comes from Christ alone. He is enough! But you have to become in tune with Him. That means getting to know Him better each and every day through His word. Through prayers. Through songs of praise and worship.
Daily.
I will be honest, negativity is easy. It’s easy for me… it may be easy for you too. But you have to fight against it. The beaten-down-no-use-to-nobody Christian is one of the enemy’s best tools. But, you are an overcomer. You have to seek out the JOY of the moment, of the time, of the season of life you are in… you have to find it with what Christ has given you. It may not be easy at first, but you need it, just like me.
God’s word is so full of this truth. This promise.
He has REDEEMED YOU! He has CALLED you by name and given you purpose! (paraphrase of Isaiah 43:1)
THAT! THAT right there should give you excitement! YOU have purpose! YOU have worth!
He is with you!
Are you taking time with Him daily?
It is as vital as the bread we eat.
We need that spiritual bread.
Please, make a plan to get in God’s word more often for 2016, He won’t let you down.
So, like I said… I have a choice. I’ve told you that my life has taken other roads, roads that I wasn’t really expecting. But I’ve also said, I’d rather go the path the Lord has planned than my path… any day.
So, I choose joy.
I do.
Daily.
Sometimes even in a moment.
I will, with the Lord’s help, I will seek out the good.
With the Lord’s help, I will open my eyes to His will and plans.
With His help, I will love my neighbor as myself.
With His help, I will forgive past hurts. I will show grace when grace may not be given in return.
With His help, I will forgive myself.
With His help I will do my best to love like He loves.
I won’t always do it right. You may see me in a foul mood in 10 minutes, but this is my prayer. That my heart will be pricked. My eyes will be opened at my own selfishness,
and
I
will
CHOOSE
JOY.
Join me, won’t you. I know we will never be the same.
Beautifully said!!!!! Thank you for sharing this and inspiring others. God Bless!
Amy Jo Thrasher
I have been feeling this way to. We all have a choice and your words rang true. Thank you for sharing. May the lord continue to bless you and yours.
Thank you, Amy Jo. That is very sweet to say. May The Lord be magnified! <3
Many blessings to you, Blissful Mommy. Thank you for your kind words. To God be the Glory!