Finding the Joy!

 

I did not take this photo

Habakkuk 3:18 says, "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

And Paul writes, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God," in Act 20:24.

To say the least, I have had a JOY problem lately.  Things just seem so mundane and tedious.  I have seen my joy dwindle away for the past few years.  It is time I get that joy back.  And God is the answer.  When things seem out of sorts and you just don't seem to have the right attitude or feel like things are worth doing, turn to God.  He wants us to be Joy Filled.  He wants us to have joy doing things.  

Sometimes I know I get so busy I don't pay attention to what God has to say about things. I just think about all the things I need to get done. When this is happening on a continual basis, it is time to slow down and remember that God comes first.  He should not have to wait till we are no longer busy.  I know over the past few years, life has gotten so much busier.  Time is going by so quickly and if I don't start having joy in those everyday moments, life is going to pass me by and I will be a grouchy, cantankerous old woman.  

I do not want to be that way.  I want to find joy even when there seems to be none.  Just as Paul writes about his trials and troubles, he still found Joy in the midst of them.  I can do the same.  I know I can because Jesus saved me!  He paid my sin debt.  This world is not my home, I am just passing through.  I can have joy in the midst of my trials.  I can have joy in everyday activities.  I can have joy raising my kids.  

I choose Joy!  It is a choice we all must make.  No matter what I have going on in my life or around me, I can have joy.        

 Psalm 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

Well, It's been a few weeks.

It has been a few weeks and those weeks have been crazy with Baseball for the boys, doing photo sessions and church stuff.  Also my 30th birthday was 2 weeks ago (thanks for the condolences, but I am doing fine ;).  I have been babysitting and trying to keep up with house work.  It's a busy life.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  I wanted to share a photos with you:

 I wanted to share that I got so much love on my birthday.  I was so surprised by the ladies of my church.  My birthday fell on the same night as the ladies Bible study.  They all sang happy birthday and had cards and gifts.  I am so truly blessed.  I love these ladies very much and pray for them often. 

Baseball Life...

In February, we signed both Thomas and James up for Little League Baseball.  It is a huge leap for us since we already have a fairly busy schedule.  We have been wanting to put them into some sort of sport for a few years, but have just been too preoccupied with other things.

It is so cute to see them interact with other kids and their coaches.  I am excited to see what this season holds and how much they grow in the next few months.