Joy

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! The theme for this week's advent is joy. I have so much joy in my life. That is not to say that my life is easy nor has it ever been. But, the one thing that I have learned in recent years that joy can be found in any situation. When I was lying in the hospital waiting to learn my fate, away from my children during Christmas, I learned to find joy in little things. Having great nurses or a visitor bringing me a cup of coffee or the carolers who sang to me on Christmas all brought me joy. When I saw my baby on the ultrasound or felt him move, joy surged through my heart. One of the things I learned during this time is that if we wait on circumstances to bring us joy, then we will be waiting forever. Life is hard and when you become a Christian, it doesn't get any easier. We must seek out each day where we can find joy. I was not happy staying in the hospital for 81 days knowing that I might live or I might die but I found joy in knowing that God does not waste one single instance in our lives. I now take joy in visiting others in the hospital when they are unsure of what is coming next. God took my bed rest and is using it to help other women. Joy, joy, joy!!!!
Mary, in her Magnificat(Luke), finds joy in her impossible situation. Here she is, young, unmarried but engaged, a virgin, poor, uneducated and pregnant. This may seem overwhelming(can you imagine having to tell your parents the news?) yet Mary was able to pen the words in Luke 1:
46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.

That is finding joy in a seemingly impossible set of circumstances. Mary knew that her strength didn't come from her but from the God who created the universe. She rejoices in knowing that she is called favored by Him. After waiting for over 400 years, God has finally spoken to Israel in a most unlikely way, through a woman and a baby! Praise God! May you find joy this season!

ABCs of Me: Joy, Joy Joy

        My focus for 2013 has been finding joy. Joy in the journey.  Joy in all things, both good and bad.  I have felt so passionate about it that I led a devotional for my home school board and that became the theme for our school year as an association: Finding Joy in the Journey, Romans 15:13.

        Joy is easy to find when times are easy.  The kids are doing well in school.  All the bills are paid.  Your husband loves you.   Your family isn't crazy.   You are never sad or lonely or depressed or stressed.  Joy is so easy! 

        What about the times that aren't so easy?  What about these situations?

             Depression, job loss, divorce, abandonment, unplanned pregnancy, whiny kids, crazy family, stress, loneliness, or death?  

         How do you find joy in those situations?  How can you possibly feel happy when all that is going down?  First off, joy and happiness are not the same things!  Happiness is a feeling, a reaction to something.   Joy is a state of mind, a state of being, a choice!   You can control that!

         So, what are some practical ways that you can find joy?  When the kids are whiny, praise God that you have them and can hold them and dissolve the whininess.  I know parents who cannot see or hold their children or even have them.  Joblessness is difficult!  I have been there.  My husband has been under or unemployed for over 5 years.  We have had a tough time but I am thankful for the struggle because it made me appreciate the good times!  I have experienced so many hard things in my life.  Things that would make your toes curl and heart ache.  I have spent many years being a slave to those things.  I decided that I would take my dark thoughts and turn them into joy. 

        I had an abortion.  Where is the joy in that?  God chooses to use my story to help others.  Crazy family! Yep!  It makes me appreciate what normal looks like. 

        Where can you find the joy? Dirty dishes? You had food to eat!  Long day at work with a tough boss or rude customers? You have a job in an economy when so many do not.  

        Joy! I challenge you to find it this week or even just today!  Like a muscle, it needs exercising!