Joy.

"The joy of the Lord is my strength." That has been a verse that has been on my heart and mind since I became a Christian when I was 16. Over the last two and a half years, in particular, I believe the Lord has been teaching me what this really looks like.

One of my friends shared this quote today:

"Joyfully embracing God's will doesn't mean that we're always laughing or smiling. There's not much laughter around a death bed or in the emergency room. To joyfully embrace God's will means that during the sobs and sorrow we say to God, "I bless your name, for you are always good to me." --the greener grass conspiracy

I want to be a cheerful, joyful Christian, wife, mom, daughter, friend, sister, etc. I want to be able to smile and laugh a lot. (Thankfully I have a funny husband who fills our home with humor and laughter!) I want this to be true of my life..."Cheerfulness is the support of our strength; in the joy of the Lord are we strong...Let us show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master." (CH Spurgeon)

The past couple of years in particular there has been a lot of sorrow and a lot of tears. Jordyn's first couple of years of life were difficult and revealed so much of what I really believed about parenting and seeing my need for God - in every moment of the day. We have had family members walking through trials and difficulties that bring many tears to my eyes as I even write this. My heart is heavy and burdened for them, yet I know our kind Master is holding them near and is eager to give them comfort and peace.

Joy isn't always being bubbly and smiling. Although I do believe as children of our Risen Savior our faces should be radiant! Joy is know that I am standing on the Solid Rock. That our God is good all the time and that even though I may not understand His ways, I can always trust His hand. It's knowing that no matter what, it is always well with my soul. It's knowing that He gives and He takes away, and in both I can say "Blessed be Your Name". It's being aware that "A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench (Is 42:3). It's knowing that Heaven is my home and that time here on earth is short. It's knowing that God is with us, will not leave us, will not forsake us, will strengthen and uphold us - through the ordinary cares of life, and through any great trials and blessings He may have in store for us.

In this I find my joy. That Jesus would suffer, die, rise again and draw me to Himself. That He would give me life and with that give me hope in His true and living Word.

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is an everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow faint or weary, His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, He increases strength." Is 40:28-31

You are God, and You are great

And we need You this very day

To wipe our eyes, to lift our gaze

So we can see Your mighty ways

We may not grasp or understand

The workings of Your mighty hand

But we can trust and hope in You

For all You do is good and true

You comfort us right where we are

You know our thoughts, You know our hearts

You know our fears and struggles within

You know our victories, You see our sins

In everything, the Cross shines through

Because of that we have hope in You

You love the ones You call Your own

And one day You will call us home

Life on this earth is difficult - full of want and need

But our time here is short indeed

For one day soon we'll enter our true home

Before Your throne, worshiping You alone!