On
this blog, I try to post about the ways I’ve seen God work in my life.
this blog, I try to post about the ways I’ve seen God work in my life.
Sometimes,
the posts are difficult ones to write. I try to be honest. To give a real
glimpse of what it’s like to live in this world and still have faith.
the posts are difficult ones to write. I try to be honest. To give a real
glimpse of what it’s like to live in this world and still have faith.
Even
when times are hard.
when times are hard.
Even
when things don’t go my way.
when things don’t go my way.
Even
when I can’t hear a word from God though I strain and strain my ear.
when I can’t hear a word from God though I strain and strain my ear.
But
sometimes, these posts are easy as pie to write.
sometimes, these posts are easy as pie to write.
This
is one of those posts.
is one of those posts.
Because
despite all of the ways God reveals His truth to my heart—whether it be through
revelations that are hard for me to hear, because they mean I’m at fault, or
through the realization that this world can be a really crappy place to live
sometimes—He also gives me something that makes me want to leap in the air.
despite all of the ways God reveals His truth to my heart—whether it be through
revelations that are hard for me to hear, because they mean I’m at fault, or
through the realization that this world can be a really crappy place to live
sometimes—He also gives me something that makes me want to leap in the air.
Joy.
Joy.
Joy.
Joy.
Down in my heart.
Down in my heart.
Where?
(Everyone got that song in their head now?)
(Everyone got that song in their head now?)
The
Lord has given me sooooo many reasons to have that genuine, wanna-bust-out-dancing,
I-can’t-believe-this-is-my-life kind of joy.
Lord has given me sooooo many reasons to have that genuine, wanna-bust-out-dancing,
I-can’t-believe-this-is-my-life kind of joy.
He
gave me an amazing husband.
gave me an amazing husband.
A
wonderful set of parents who raised me to know the Lord and gave me an awesome
example.
wonderful set of parents who raised me to know the Lord and gave me an awesome
example.
The
means to an education.
means to an education.
A
job that takes care of my needs.
job that takes care of my needs.
Two
puppies who make me laugh, even when they’re naughty. (Well, sometimes I yell
first…)
puppies who make me laugh, even when they’re naughty. (Well, sometimes I yell
first…)
Friends
who I can belly laugh with. And spill my heart to.
who I can belly laugh with. And spill my heart to.
Scripture
that draws me to my knees in worship.
that draws me to my knees in worship.
Music
that moves me.
that moves me.
A
life that, even when it’s hard, is worth living.
life that, even when it’s hard, is worth living.
Because
I have joy. Deep abiding joy that only hope in the Lord can bring.
I have joy. Deep abiding joy that only hope in the Lord can bring.
Why,
oh Lord, have you favored me with this life?
oh Lord, have you favored me with this life?
I
don’t know. I don’t. But I’m so grateful for the joy You bring me. Bless Your
name for that.
don’t know. I don’t. But I’m so grateful for the joy You bring me. Bless Your
name for that.
Your Turn: How has the Lord given you joy?
*Photo courtesy of
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Oh, where to start?
Just a few…
A husband who provides for his family, children's innocent eyes to see through, and long walks in the woods to spend time with my Creator!
Amen, Lindsay!
Nothing better than a long walk, right?! I see God so clearly in nature. Wish I lived nearer to some woods. 😛
Yo tengo gozo, gozo en mi corazon,
En mi corazon, en mi corazon,
Yo tengo gozo, gozo, en mi corazon,
Gloria se a Dios!
That's what I'll be singing, at about 15,000 feet up the Andes in about 2 weeks. I've waited 2 years to go back to Bolivia and I'm about to BURST with happiness!!!!
I cannot wait to hear all the details about your trip and how God used you and your team. Yay!!
I just spent a weekend with my nephew. And that's joy in the flesh. 🙂 Ohhh love!
Ollie is so adorable!!
Thanks, Jennifer. I totally agree. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Kiddos do bring so much joy, don't they? So glad you had fun with Ollie and so glad you posted so many pics for us all to see!
Definitely my kids!! I do have a very stable, comfortable life. My husband has been blessed with his jobs. I've been blessed with mine. But I hope if I didn't have these blessings that I'd still find joy in Jesus. 🙂 I think I would. I hope I would. lol
I'm blessed that my husband has a steady job too. Sometimes it means he works really long hours, but I have to remember that it would be so much worse if he didn't have a job. Isn't it interesting how the way we CHOOSE to see something can make it a positive or negative?
Oh Joy!! I feel the same way…I'm so blessed it's hard not to always (or most of the time) feel thankful and joyful. I feel it so keenly, I named my daughter after that gift. Now, even when I'm yelling at her, "Lexie Joy!" I remember and my heart smiles. 🙂
What a pretty name! I do find myself seeing the glass half empty sometimes, but it doesn't take much reminder to be joyful when I see how much I really do have.
My kiddos are such a big blessing and they give me so much joy. I'm so grateful, as well, for a husband who supports our family and has a stable job.
Thanks for sharing your reasons for joy today!
Thanks for sharing yours in return!
I work with small children on a daily basis. It's impossible not to have joy around them. Their laughter is infectious. I have to admit, though, it's tough to have joy during those dark times. When I look back on the past three years–tough times on the homefront–I can see God's continual provision. It's a teachable moment for me to remember to have His JOY even when life is trying to steal it. I'm so blessed to have an amazing, supportive family, a great church and living my dream.
Ah, I love little kid laughs!
And I agree. There is no way I could still have had ultimate joy with what I've gone through except that God put it there.
Love your "joyful" and honest post, Lindsay.
Joy is my word for 2012. We don't feel enough of that sheer joy. I want it every day. Counting our blessings is on sure fire way to feel the joy…joy…joy…down in our hearts! (Love that song!) All I have to do is look around and I can feel His joy! Great post.
ooops that would be *one* sure fire way…
I knew what you meant. 😉
I know what you mean about counting our blessings. If we really counted them all, then it would be hard to ever NOT feel joyful.
I love, Love, LOVE your JOY here today, Lindsay! Even having only one of the things listed can give joy – but you have a whole slew. PRAISE! Joy is a way of life. A choice. An attitude. I see and take joy in the slightest things and it sets the tone for the day. On Saturday before I headed out to a local church to speak, I sat in my chair, knee deep in my quiet time, when I looked up. Outside the window a hummingbird was flitting from flower to flower. Then it actually rested on one of the branches long enough for me to see every beautiful detail of that incredible tiny bird. JOY!!! That image stayed with me the rest of the weekend. It truly is the little things, because if we wait to be joyful only when the big things come along, we lose out on so much joy in between. Hugs!
What a beautiful story of God showing you his handiwork, Donna. I just love how he can make something extraordinary out of an "ordinary" moment.
I love this! He places wonderful people like you in my life who bring me joy 🙂 Also my son, husband, family, and a warm bed all bring me joy.
Aw, Julie, you're the sweetest!! I'm sooooo glad I got to meet you at ACFW, and look forward to knowing you more. 🙂 And that brings me joy!
Meeting you at the conference last month filled me with joy, Lindsay!
Keli!! You just made my day. 🙂 It was such a joy to eat not one, but two meals next to you.