God has been teaching me to choose joy and find the joy in the everyday moments since the birth of
baby number two. Reminding me of the constant choice to see the beauty and the
fullness of life around me. To see the beauty in the rainbow formed by crayons
scattered all over the floors and seeing the mountains of laundry as abundant
provision and the ongoing snack prep as little thanksgiving feasts because life can be good but we were made for greater. We were made for joy in the depths of our souls and fullness beyond measure.
For Christmas, my mama got me Ann
Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts Devotional and then was gifted the actual book a few
months later, which I have been reading through ever so slowly. God has been working and guiding me subtly, training my eyes and
mind and heart to see the joys scattered throughout out the days. Seeing them
through His lenses.
Right now, finding the
joy is embracing a little messier house with unfolded laundry and longer sitting
dishes. Finding joy is rocking tired babies to sleep when my body says it would
rather be snuggled in my sheets. Finding joy is opening my eyes to the
brokenness around me and watching God restore and piece it together. Finding
joy is teeny seeds budding in the kitchen and little rain drops on the patio.
Finding joy is eating vanilla ice cream next to my best buddy, while the kiddos
sleep. Find joy is sending cards in the mail for reasons only God knows.
Finding joy is finding
myself in the present. It is focusing on what my senses are taking in. The
sights. The smell. The taste and the touch and the sound. It is not focusing on
the next but the now.
True joy is a byproduct
of following Jesus, mingled with trusting God and a fruit of the Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with
all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
As we trust in God, the
God of hope, we are being filled with joy and peace, two interlinked fruits.
The purpose being to overflow with hope through the power of the Spirit. It is
a constant process of ebbs and flows and findings.
Finding joy is finding
the water to the thirsting soul. Finding joy is stopping the busy and
multi - tasking and simply breathing. Tasting
each moment to its fullest, letting it sit on your tongue until at last the
flavor dissolves, leaving you with a smile pressed on your lips and
thankfulness tucked in your heart, as the clock ticks away putting you one step
close to entering eternity.
Praying you find joy in
your every day moments that are here today and gone tomorrow. Praying
that your eyes would be opened to the beauty around you. That you would be able
to find if nothing more, one thing that catches your eye with glimpses of the
extraordinary.
A community of joy is contagious
and much needed in the day to day, whenever you have a #findthejoytoday moment you'd like to share, be sure to post to
Instagram to bless and encourage others. From the minute to the grandiose. Whatever you find joy in today.
Here's to finding the
joy today.
I do think joy a key to Christian living. It's our strength after all! Yes to living in joy!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteWhat a beautiful post. Love this. Thank you for sharing this morning. :)
ReplyDelete~ joy-filled blessings ~
thank you!
DeleteAs you take note of simple joys it will set a tone in your home. Your children are blessed in having you as a mom. Lovely post. I'm visiting from the Weekend Brew.
ReplyDeleteAw, you are so sweet. Thanks for visiting =)
DeleteCounting and recording gifts changed my life. It helps focus my attention on God all day long and reminds me of His love, care, goodness, and sovereignty. It truly does bring joy in my heart. I recommend getting the video, All Is Grace, that goes with the book. It is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have heard great things about the video. I will have to look in to it. Thanks for visiting =)
DeleteI believe that when we notice the simple joys in life, it opens our eyes to so many other things we have to be grateful for. Thank you for sharing at The Weekend Brew!
ReplyDeleteYes, our eyes are surely opened and that is a blessing in of itself =) Thanks for stopping by!
Deletevisiting you from the Weekend Brew! Love this. I've not actually read her book yet and probably need to as I'm all about choosing/finding and spreading JOY!!
ReplyDelete@spreadingJOY
Haha, yes it is a must read!
DeleteThank you so much for writing this post. I love to read it! I do think Christ is the a key to joyful living. Let's talk with Him every single day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
Yes, definitely =)
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