Helping You Find JOY

A year ago I was driving down the road - can't remember where I was or where I was going!  But there, right in front of me, was a BIG billboard advertising a radio station...announcing that they would "Help you find JOY this Christmas"!

JOY!  My word for the year...the past few years!  And, yes!  I definitely could use a little bit of JOY this Christmas!!

Picture that in a very big billboard, right in front of me...

That really caught my attention!!

I have really been trying for several years to "find joy"  Or to at least write on my blog about the joys that surround me...surround all of us.

Yes.  My "word for the year" has been JOY.  For the past few years!

I figured if I couldn't find it or write about it in one year, I'd just keep trying...still failing year after year.

Last year I read a verse that used HOPE along with JOY...

"May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE..."  (Romans 15:13 NIV).

I decided to use both HOPE and JOY, or whatever word I felt inspired to write about!

Well, my writing still hasn't taken off again...a few ideas here or there that really didn't go anywhere.  But, I did find JOY in the music I listened to on that radio station.  Some made me cry; others made me smile, knowing it was the perfect thing I needed at that exact moment!

Now, a year later, I am still listening to JOY FM; and was happy when they started playing 24-hour Christmas music recently.  The truth is I have been watching the Hallmark Christmas movies since they started airing them...in October!  And, could also listen to the music that early!!

The year since I first saw that billboard hasn't been all joyful.  With the ups and downs of a caregiver for my husband who has dementia and hearing loss, each day is a challenge.  Many days are spent in my craft room making something, or on the computer chatting online with friends.

On days I have errands to do away from home, he always wants to tag along to "get out of the apartment".  Those outings can also be challenging; and we don't always see eye to eye on what we will do (or most often, buy or eat!).

Today was one of those days!

I was determined not to let his attitude, mood or words make the outing something to dread.  I turned the volume up on the radio where JOY FM was playing its usual Christmas music, and started singing along...

His "Whaaat?  What did you say?!" in an ugly way, was answered with my "Nothing!  I am singing along with the radio!"  Which he didn't hear right away and I had to repeat a few times.  (This is typical of the way our conversations go; ending in a lot of ugliness and frustration, mostly on his part, but mine too.)

A silent prayer helped.  And what was the next thing I heard from the radio...

"Happy Holidays!  May your..."

I smiled and silently thanked Him for putting JOY back into my day!

God's blessings weren't done yet, though!

Later, just before arriving at our last stop, God assured me He was with me through the words of one of my favorite Christmas songs, "Breath of Heaven", sung by Amy Grant.

These words always make the tears fall freely down my cheeks; especially these...

"Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Helm me be
Help me!"

I can just feel the pain and hear the pleas in the last three lines!  Pleas from one who has no idea what the future holds; and is crying out to the only One who can help...

Someone like me!!

So, a year after finding joy through a radio station called JOY, I continue to find joy through music.  And through the stories and lyrics and other everyday banter that touches my heart and keeps me going!

Thank you, JOY FM!!  And thank you God for for that billboard right in front of my face that "Helped me find JOY during Christmas" and always!


{Check out the JOY FM on your radio station!!  Find it here on Facebook.  Let them help YOU find JOY too!}

There Ain't Nothing Gonna Steal My Joy!

One afternoon, while driving in the pouring rain, I heard this very catchy tune, "Old Church Choir" with Zach Williams.

Every time I hear this song on the radio, it always gets me to singing along... all alone, driving down the road, belting the words blaring from the radio!

{It also makes me smile as I remember the times my 10 year old grandson has sang along too!}

Check out the words, then scroll down to hear it...

Old Church Choir

Zach Williams

There's revival, and it's spreading
Like a wildfire in my heart
Sunday morning, Hallelujah
And it's lasting all week long

Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
It's the rhythm of a gospel song
Oh, once you choose it, you can't lose it
There ain't nothing, there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy

I got an Old Church Choir singing in my soul
I got a sweet salvation and it's beautiful
I've got a heart overflowing 'cause I've been restored
There ain't nothing gonna steal my joy
No, there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy

When the valleys that I wander
Turn to mountains that I can't climb
Oh, you are with me, never leave me
Oh, 'cause there ain't nothing, there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy

I got an Old Church Choir singing in my soul
I got a sweet salvation and it's beautiful
I've got a heart overflowing 'cause I've been restored
There ain't nothing gonna steal my joy
No, there ain't nothing gonna steel my joy

Clap your hands and stomp your feet
Till you find that gospel beat
'Cause it's all you'll ever need, all you'll ever need
Clap your hands and stomp your feet
Till you find that gospel beat
'Cause it's all you'll ever need
All you'll ever need

I've got an old church choir, singing in my soul
I got a sweet salvation, and it's beautiful

I got an Old Church Choir singing in my soul
I got a sweet salvation and it's beautiful
I've got a heart overflowing 'cause I've been restored
There ain't nothing gonna steal my joy
No, there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy
Oh, there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy

Songwriters: Zach Williams / Ethan Hulse / Colby Wedgeworth

Old Church Choir lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Music Services, Inc

WOW!!  I need this song in my heart all day every day!!
What song causes this to happen to you??  Share in the comments...

Does This Spark Joy?

Sound familiar??

Anyone who has heard of Marie Kondo, even just a little bit, will understand this question!

I have never actually watched any of her YouTube videos; or read any of her books (or is there just one?!).

I have read through a lot of posts and comments on Facebook of others who are following her ideas; and others who are not.

While I am not really following her ideas, I am trying to declutter my "stuff" and get rid of things...

That I no longer need!

No, I am not going to thank my "stuff" and then let it go.  No, I am not going to consider whether it "sparks joy" or not...

But, I will determine if it is useful to me or not.



What did bring me joy was to have a friend give me two bags of clothes!  And, there were a lot of things that I could use.  They are now washed and hanging in my closet.

I do have a few things that will end up being given away or donated; some that I have had a while and no longer use.  But, it brings me joy when I go into my closet and have clothes that look nice and make me feel good about myself.


That is what sparks joy for me!

And being able to give to others sparks joy, too.

So, as I go through my "stuff" and decide whether to keep it or get rid of it, I will think of others that will be able to use it.  And gladly give it away...

Sparking joy for myself as well as the receiver!

So, here's your question...

What sparks joy for you?!  (Not a debate for or against the Marie Kondo way...just a question for you to ponder or share if you wish.)

Celebrating Precious Joys

My Word for the Year is JOY...

So far, I have done well with posting every week; like, TWO WHOLE POSTS!!

The first week I talked about how JOY could be found EVERYWHERE; and that sometimes it is a quiet, inner joy.  Last week I shared overwhelming joy; the exuberant kind of joy that is apparent to all around you.

Today I want to share a few times I found joy in unexpected ways, and realized that JOY really IS everywhere!


Celebrating a few of the Joys I have experienced so far:


My granddaughter running to me and jumping into my arms with a great big hug!

Here she is running off some energy

after her dance recital ended.

Watching a precious dog do tricks on America's Got Talent.

Opening up a Christmas gift wrapped in "Joy" wrapping paper.

Celebrating my husband's birthday with all three of the "kids" and four of the six grandkids.

We all enjoyed a delicious meal

at Sonny's BBQ!

Enjoying a bowl of ice cream, covered up in a cozy blanket, while watching a Hallmark movie.

Reading the perfect quote or scripture that I needed to hear that very moment!

These are just a few instances of finding Joy...

I know there will be many more in the days, weeks and months to come as I share my Word for the Year!!

Share in the comments some times when you have found JOY!!

Overwhelmed with Joy!

"When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy!"  Matthew 2:10 (NRSV)

Have you ever felt that way?  Overwhelmed with joy?  Filled with such joy that you couldn't hold it inside?

This little boy sure is displaying an overwhelming joy!!

What does that mean?  "Overwhelming"?

According to Dictionary.com, "Overwhelmed" is a verb which means:

"Bury or drown beneath a huge mass; give too much of a thing to (someone); inundate; have a strong emotional effect on."

Every day I am choosing joy.  But, I don't necessary expect that "joy" to always be "overwhelming"...

Like that of the little boy as he tries to catch the bubbles.

Some days it may be a quieter joy.

Many days it's really hard to find any kind of joy, even the quiet joy I spoke of last week (check it out here).  But I am determined to look anyway.

Some days it surprises me - and I laugh out loud, joyfully!

Other days I search long and hard; and finally just see the word "joy" in an unexpected place:

Yes!  That is the back of a gallon of egg nog ice cream we found during the holidays!!

But I am choosing to look for it!  To know that joy does exist and I will find it every single day.

No matter how hard or easy it may be, I will search it out every day!

What kind of joy have you found?  Share with me in the comments!

It's Everywhere!!!

For a few months leading up to the holidays, I felt unhappy; perhaps even a little depressed.  I felt as if I had lost the happiness and joy I once had.

I tried to pull myself out of the depression; to find the happiness and joy...to show it to my family and friends.

Then...

It happened!!

I started seeing "JOY" everywhere!

In the wrappings of a Christmas gift.

In the words of a song.

In the words found in Scripture.

In the holiday decorations.

And, I started seeing it in the faces of those around me.

Hearing it in the carols and hymns being sung.

Yes!  Joy was EVERYWHERE!!

Philippians 4:4 (NLT) - "Always be full of JOY in the Lord.  I say it again - rejoice!"

During that time, I read these words in a blog posted by my friend, Teresa Hardymon:

"We often think of joy in terms of wild exhilaration or shouting from the rooftops.  But joy can also be a quiet peace that settles in the bottom of our soul and wraps a scarf of contentment around us.

"For me this year, joy has been on the quieter side.  Maybe it's been that way for you too."

Yes!  My joy, once I "found" it again, has been rather quiet.  But...

It is there!

God's assurance, found in John 16:22, says, "So you have sorrow now but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy!"

As we move into a new year, and a new focus on this word - JOY - I pray that you also find your joy, and hold onto it...because "no one can rob you of that joy!"


Praying you will join me on Wednesdays for "Word Wednesday"...as I try to share JOY each week of 2019.

BACK TO JOY...

"My word for the year..."

This is something that I see or hear each year as we come to the end of another year and begin our "resolutions" and plans for a new one.

I have tried...

And failed...

Three different years!

First year:  Joy

Second year:  Hope

Third year:  Well, since I failed the first two years, decided to combine the two words and use Joy & Happiness!

That didn't quite work either; so I gave up the idea and decided to just write whatever inspired me!  That worked for a couple of weeks...

Just didn't "feel it", I guess!!

And lately I have felt a loss of the Joy and Happiness I once had.  I keep feeling I have lost Me and the person I was...

Everything just seems to be crowding into me and I have lost my way.  Lost the reason for everything I do.

I have lost the person I was.

I have lost the joy I once had, and the happiness that comes along with it.

But I am beginning to understand that it really is still there...

Joy and Happiness are right in front of me!

I just have to look for them!

And I really have been finding both joy and happiness...



Like in the wrapping on a Christmas gift from my Secret Elfster;

I found JOY!



And in the words of this scripture in my email this morning:

"The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

And I realize the Lord is my strength and my shield!

The Lord gives me the strength to go on; and the shield to deflect anything that takes away my Joy that leads to Happiness.

He helps me to find what I have lost!

To find that which I have stopped seeing before me because I am not focusing on that but on the things that take away from it.

So, today I seek JOY!

Today I seek Happiness!

Thank you God for giving me the strength to go on; to see what is right in front of me!

And to find my Joy and Happiness!

Word Wednesday - QUIET

This year I have decided to write the weekly post for Word Wednesday based on whatever word seems to be inspiring me at the time!

I've touched on Joy - 2016's word; and Hope - 2017's word.  Neither of which made it through the entire year!

Other words will be used as the come to me.

So, while browsing through one of the many journals that hold words I have written, I came across the following prayer to be used for today's Word Wednesday post, Quiet...

"God, it is quiet now!  I hear the spinning of the washer, reminding me of chores to finish.  I hear the whirring of the ceiling fan, and feel the sweat running down my face and back; and I know today will be hot again.  I think the older I get, the less I am able to tolerate this heat!

The washer has stopped now; the dryer continues...the front door has opened, meaning I am no longer alone.  How long before the quiet is broken?  And then what happens to the quiet; to the time for prayer and reflection?

Now, my thoughts have been diverted to "what's for dinner?"  And, I get irritated that my quiet has been shattered; my irritability just gets worse...

God, I don't know how to do this...he is so - what?  I do not even know how to describe it; and when I do - it seems so trivial; but it doesn't feel trivial.

It feels...hard!

Now, I must wait for another time of quiet.  Lead me to Your Word to ponder -

And, now it's night; and I have found the quiet again.  No sounds except the ticking of the clock, and an occasional car passing by.

Three precious little ones sleep soundly in the back room; and a big black dog sleeps on the rug in front of the door - guarding this quiet house against, what?

And, you, oh God, ever-present, ever ready to listen to Your child; to show me the lessons you want me to ponder, to learn.

I am finding it hard to know which way to turn...

I am listening for your voice...

In this quiet house.

Silence my inner wonderings so I may hear Your still small voice...

Word Wednesday - FAITH

The Disciples failed...

They couldn't cure the boy; no matter how many times his father asked...

The Disciples could not cure the boy...

"When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, and said, 'Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water.  And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.' " (Matthew 17:14-16)

These men were called of Jesus to "Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons" (Matthew 10:8).

So, why could they not cure this one little boy?

Well, these words from Jesus may answer that question:

"Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?'  He said to them, 'Because of your little faith.  For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.' "

"...if you have faith the size of a mustard seed..."

A mustard seed?  What is a mustard seed?

According to wikipedia, "Mustard seeds are the small round seeds of various mustard plants.  They are usually about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, and may be colored from yellowish white to black."

"...if you have faith the size of a mustard seed..."

Look how small that mustard seed is, nestled between these fingers!  So tiny!! 

Just one tiny mustard seed...

Faith the size of a mustard seed!

That is all!!

Wikipedia also cites the Parable of the Mustard Seed referring to faith and the Kingdom of God.  In Mark 4, Jesus says the kingdom of God "is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth!  Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade."

Our faith - as small as that mustard seed - has the potential to grow and spread its "branches" in such a way that birds can rest in them.  Those who are hurting can seek shelter beneath it's branches!

Its "roots" reach far and wide to seek those needing help.

Our faith - "faith the size of a mustard seed" - can reach out to those needing help, and provide refuge.

Faith...

The size of a mustard seed...

In a lesson found in "Just Women" magazine, the author Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale says:

"A mustard seed is so small that it can fit on the head of a pin.  The issue is not the quantity of faith, but the quality of our faith.  God can work with little faith.  It is not the size of your faith, it is the size of your God in whom you place your faith.

"...Faith is the means by which we are connected to God, the source of power; faith allows His power to be released in and through our lives.

"...faith is nurtured...through daily prayer, communion with God, and spiritual disciplines such as fasting.

"Faith may start small, but God expects it to be developed over time.  When we believe, when we have faith, God works in and through us to accomplish anything and everything; we can move the mountains out of our way."

Whatever mountains we may be facing, God has given us the way to move them out of our way.  He has given us faith to face them...

And, if we do have faith...

The size of a mustard seed...

He will use it for bigger things.

How big is your faith?

Or, better yet, how big is your God?!

Think about that little tiny mustard seed the next time you are confronted with a mountain...

And, remember our God who will use that mustard seed faith to tackle your mountain.

He will bring you up and over the mountain and back down into the valley where He will be with you always.

Word Wednesday - Life's Journey

Today I am cleaning!  I have been trying to declutter my "stuff"; and also clean as I go along.  One day I will be finished...

Perhaps!

The problem with cleaning and decluttering and organizing is...

I keep sitting down to browse through the forgotten books; or turn the pages of scrapbooks that are stored on the shelves being cleaned.

And...

That means I always get distracted!

Today, I sat down to see what was inside this 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook.  What I found was a photo and the words I included on the title page of the album picturing my grandson when he was almost two years old.

I have always loved this photo of my grandson and I walking up the steps of a memorial at a Military Park we visited.  Notice our feet and how in step we were!!

For this week's Word Wednesday I am reprinting the words I came across and "copied" into this album...

"Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.  It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Do not see your goals by what other people deem important.  Only you know what is best for you.  Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future.  By living your life one day at a time, you live all of the days of your life.

Do not give up when you still have something to give.  Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.  It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Do not be afraid to encounter risks.  It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.  Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.  The quickest way to receive love is to give love.  The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly.  In addition, the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Do not dismiss your dreams.  To be without dreams is to be without hope.  To be without hope is to be without purpose.  Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also where you are going.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way."  (copied).

My personal note to my grandson was:  "I savor the steps I take with you on Life's Journey."  (June 2001).

I think these words are quite appropriate for Life's Journey; and for the Hope I see along this journey!

{p.s.  I think I have found a perfect gift for my grandson as he graduates from high school June 2018; these words and the above picture reproduced in a shadowbox!!}

Out-giving God?

I learned years ago when I was stretching our budget as a military wife and mother of two...

My husband was overseas and I had to work with the amount of income that I had.  At that point, I was working and also receiving a portion of my husband's income...he had to have an income to live on too; but I was making a house payment and all of the other bills that go with it!

At that time, I learned that God has a way of stretching a budget that none of us could ever understand!

The drive to church on Sunday morning and back home; and then back to church again that night...

That "E" on the gas gauge stretched and stretched until the money went into the bank and I could fill up with gas again!

I'd pray all the way to church and back!

The groceries?  They stretched, too!  Amazing what you can do with a can of stewed tomatoes and pasta!

Yes!  He always came through!!

It is something I learned back then; and is something I am still learning!

But, why is it that we have to keep learning this over and over again?

god has an endless supply of...well, of everything!

And He wants us to depend on Him to supply all of our needs!

ALL OF OUR NEEDS!!

Still, years go by and I forget what He did for us back then.  I stop relying on the promises found in His Word:

The truth is...

You cannot out-give God!

His resources are far beyond our vision.  They are infinite!

This is the truth we find in His Word.

And yet...

I still didn't follow through with what I knew I should be doing; I gradually let it slip and times got hard and I stopped...I didn't give back to God that one thing...

You know...that word!!

Tithing!

Yes, I did give to the church...occasionally.  Not the first of my income; but the leftovers.

So, last fall I decided I needed to do this...again...at least, the best I could...

I filled out my pledge card for the amount I felt I could handle; with the thought that I could increase as time went on.

Now, the amount I chose was based on the income I personally receive; I have never felt it right that I include my husband's income.

Even though the amount I have pledged is less than the 10% we are to give, I feel God has still bless my decision already.

Our income is received monthly, and has to be stretched for all things that come up during that period of time.  Many things can come up in a month; and without money in savings to fall back on, I have to trust God to supply what is needed.

And, He has!

Things like an appointment that had to be rescheduled; one that required a co-pay...

And the new date is after the next pay period!

Or, groceries stretching as well as the gas!

And, so far, no emergencies!

I am blessed by God; and am learning...

One more lesson!

You cannot out-give God!!  Ever!!


Share your story of giving in the comments!  I'd love to hear your stories!