Choosing JOY

I was especially blessed this morning in my devotions. It was about Christmas Joy and about carrying the Joy with me throughout not only my day but my year. I think, for the most part, that I do that. My life isn't always happy and easy, but I absolutely feel my God with me and the ever-peace giver that He is. I have had yet more things happen this holiday season that I did not anticipate.

One of those big things was permanently putting my grandma in a nursing home. I did not make the final decision, but certainly played a huge part in it. I prayed for God's peace through the whole thing. It wasn't an easy decision, but I've had complete peace about it being His will and His timing. After visiting with her again yesterday, I am even more thrilled with her care and setting. We found a wonderful place for her and I feel like we were absolutely led there by our Heavenly Father. I have Joy. It's not her "home", but we can make it that way as much as possible for her and she's safe there.

Another big thing that I've chosen Joy for is our finances. If you've read my blog long at all or know me well at all, you know that this is nothing new, but things have changed some again. I sometimes am having to choose Joy and sometimes it's coming easily. God has seriously provided over and over again for my family in sometimes unbelieveable ways this last 6 months. It has been amazing and exciting to see His hand in all of it. Whether it's been an odd job I could do, or a gift card arriving anonomously in the mail, or a dear friend meeting a need she didn't even know I had, GOD has met our needs EVERY TIME! My children have been witness to it and have also even been on the receiving end of some really great blessings because of it. If there's no other reason for us going through this than my children seeing God first hand, it is absolutely worth it. God is soooooo good and we're receiving Joy.

There are other things that I can't share here, that have caused me great Joy. They're huge ones too. I feel blessed to be a part of it all.

I'm praying for you today, my blog readers, that you will be able to find absolute and true Joy in my Heavenly Father and your circumstances, whatever they might be. Jesus is my TRUE Joy giver. All you and I have to do is ask for it.

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
Psalm 16:11 (NASB)

Psalm 89:15-16, "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness." (NIV)

Hosea 6:2, "After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." (NIV)