JOY!

It was my word for the year.  God laid the word joy on my heart last December and I knew he was going to bring some restoration of it.  I did Biblical research of it, I studied what scholars had to say about it, and I prayed for it.  At the end of the year, I think I rediscovered what I knew all along:  True joy is found in God's presence. 

I am the most content and most fulfilled when I am sitting in my big overstuffed chair surrounded by different translations of the Bible, a notebook, and the Holy Spirit.  In His presence is my true joy.  Some days it is my only joy, but that joy manages to bleed over into everything else.

I recorded the simple things, all gifts from God.  Recording creates a thankful heart.  The mere act of gratitude cultivates a joyful heart.  A whole notebook is filled with grace, doubling my joy when I choose to reread the list.

A measure of laughter has returned.  Sucked bone dry by the years of mourning, I was almost shocked to rediscover what a house of laughter sounds like.  It is pure musical joy.  It saddens to me think that my soul went without it for so long.

Joy is found in giving.  Being generous can take so many forms and they all bring equal amounts of joy.  Packing shoeboxes, allowing children to pick out Samaritan's Purse gifts, taking meals to friends, washing the feet of the weary and downtrodden, they all dared to fill me up and slosh out excess.  Jesus was right when He said the giver is more blessed than the receiver.  I wonder what tremendous joy Jesus experienced when He laid down His life for us.

Joy has been found as Jesus has spoken words over me all year long that are just for me.  I dare not even blog about them for writing them down for all to see might in some way damage the intimacy that we share.  It brings such delight to know that He didn't just save me but that he pursues and woos me on a regular basis.  He simply knows how to love.

I have found that joy lies hidden in the recesses of hope.  As I wait in hope for God's promises, my heart can't help but be satisfied and content.

I praise you for a restoration of JOY, sweet Lord.

"Thou wilt show me the path of life:  in thy presence is fulness of joy;

 at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."  Psalms 16:11