Tag Archives: Joy

Jun21

DAY 170 (2014)

Posted on June 21, 2014 by lsgrlr

This basically my mom’s reaction… God loves to surprise His children, He’s good like that.

My mom’s birthday is on Sunday. As my brother and I decided what to do for her, we came up with a GREAT idea. We’d surprise her with the one thing she wanted most: My brother to come visit. Everyday since he moved to Buffalo at least one time a day she’ll say these words, “I miss Jon.” Yesterday morning I woke up, told my mom I had to help my boss with something, but I’d be back to pick her up and take her out. At which point I headed to airport to get “my boss” (aka. baby brother). I retrieved him from the airport, made a quick Starbucks run (we were both coffee deprived), then headed home. When I got home I left my brother sitting in the car in the driveway. Went inside and asked my mom, to come help me get stuff out of the car. She walked through the garage toward the driveway, she had a quizzical look on her face. Then she noticed him and immediately started screaming for joy. She was so excited (still is), she started laughing, crying, and yelling all at the same time (I did not know that was even possible). Here’s the cool part: she couldn’t stop thanking God. Why is that the cool part? She knew to whom the praise belonged. She did thank my brother and I for the surprise, but her praise was all toward God. She praised Him for providing my brother with the funds to travel. She thanked Him for my willingness to get up at an insane hour in the morning. She thanked Him for another year of life that she will get to begin with both her children around. There was not a thing that she did not praise Him for. I am blessed beyond measure to have this, godly woman, as my example in life. She has taught me that truly “EVERY good and perfect gift is from God.”

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).

So what’s the plan? Know to whom the praise belongs.

May8

DAY 128 (2014)

Posted on May 8, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Joy is not dependent on our circumstances. It’s dependent on our choice… Choose wisely.

I heard someone say this once: “Joy and happiness are different. Happiness depends on your circumstance, if things are good then you are happy. If things are bad, then you’re not. But joy is a choice it is not dependent on your circumstances. You can choose to be joyful whether your circumstances are good or bad.” I have been thinking about that statement lately, about its truths and the effect it has had on my life. When I started this blog (almost two years ago) life was decidedly less “happy” than it is now. Our family had gone through a really rough time the year prior and as a result there was not much to be happy about. Emotionally I felt like a cartoon character with a dark cloud above my head. Then I heard that statement (and it was a light bulb went off), I thought to myself the only thing that’s keeping me in this mindset is, me. I made a decision to find one thing to be thankful for everyday, one reason to be joyful (and thus began my journey of thankfulness). That journey has changed me from the inside out. God used it to show me that even if the circumstances were less than stellar if I opened my eyes I could see the GOOD and the GOD in everything. Life is not always “happy”, but we have the opportunity to be “joyful” none the less. We just have to choose it.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

So what’s my plan? Set JOY before me.

Dec25

DAY 359

Posted on December 25, 2013 by lsgrlr

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It’s Christmas my favorite day of the year. Why? Because it reminds me that I have a hope that is unfailing and secure. My prayer for all who read this today is that God’s peace, hope, and love will engulf you eternally. Have a very Merry Christmas.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

So what am I thankful for today? A very merry Christmas!

Aug1

DAY 213

Posted on August 1, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Stop. Look in the mirror. Then, get out of your own way.

I had an epiphany today (okay maybe not that grandiose). More like my eyes were opened to a truth that I already knew, but never fully understood. To explain what I have learned I have to tell you a story that’s a little personal (which is somewhat disconcerting to me). My parents have been divorced for about five years (due to circumstances that I will not divulge). The breakup devastated my mom. As a result my usually strong willed, strong armed mother became a shell of her former self. Her devastation turned to anger and for a good year just saying my father’s name would send her into a rage. After the rage passed, what remained was someone that was fearful and lonely. She had turned into the kind of person, where you would say something that was amazing, and she would find the down side. Today, as I was driving with her she turned to me and said, “I am so joyful. My heart feels so light. I am truly blessed.” What happened, you ask? I’ll give you a hint, it’s my two favorite words in the Bible…But GOD. She was walking a road that led to nothing but unhappiness and fear, but God stepped in. Literally. Her story is hers to share and someday I hope she does. But here is the gist of it, She prayed and God showed her clearly that the only thing standing in the way of her walking out of her darkness into light was, HER. So she made the choice to step out of the fear and darkness that had become her crutch and step into God’s light. The journey was hard, she had days that she fell. Days that she wanted to go back to the darkness she felt comfortable with. But she pushed through all the while holding on to God’s promises, and today she lives in JOY. So what’s my epiphany? We are our own worst enemy. We place the blame on others (my mom blamed my dad), and evade the responsibility of looking at ourselves. It wasn’t until my mom realized that she was her stumbling block, that she was able to get out of her own way. Maybe the person or circumstance you’re blaming really isn’t the problem. Stop. Walk to the mirror. Take a good look at you. Then make a decision to get out of your way.

“Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us” (Romans 12:3 b, NLT).

So what am I thankful for today? Mom’s back, and better than ever.