Posts Tagged With: joy

Where’s the Joy?

December 3

Norm is on the upside of the chemo cycle. Some of his college friends came for a few hours and he enjoyed his time with them, fortunately I like them too, so, a good day for all. It felt like a normal day. We laughed, we talked, we went out to eat.

But there is a shadow that hangs over the good days. He will suffer another round of chemo on Friday, and it will take time to recover from the treatment. I’m trying to take this one day at a time and rest in the reprieve, two more days…Jesus knows we have trouble living day to day.

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; for for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “WHat will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?”

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34

I’ve never considered myself a worrier, and yet this illness of Norm’s sometimes has me tied up in knots. I really have no control over the outcome, but God does. I can be faithful to support Norm, provide his needs, encourage and pray. Sometimes the support is just listening. All else is in the hand of God.

Thanks: We had a good day today, full of joy and laughter.

Prayer: For Norm to continue to gain back some strength before his next round of chemo.

Rejoice: That God cares for us and knows all that we need. He is working in ways we cannot see.

Where’s the joy? The joy is knowing that God has all this in his hand.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas Is Coming

“He did hear a sound out over the snow. It started in slow and then started to grow. This sound wasn’t sad. The sound sounded glad. Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing without any presents at all.

He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming.

It came. Somehow or other it came just the same.

It came without ribbons.

It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.”

(Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

As a child I anticipated Christmas Day, looking forward to a day filled with unending wonder. We traveled to the grandparents after opening our gifts and I played with my cousins and our new toys. The day itself held a special magic and as a child I felt that Christmas would never come. However as an adult, Christmas Day comes all too quickly.

I want to do it all. deck the halls, bake cookies, put up lights, buy gifts, attend special shows and concerts…all while trying to keep the regular stuff in my life from spinning out of control. I have a list of gifts, people, parties, and responsibilities. And while I want to do it all, instead of a celebration, Christmas can become a burden.

Christmas Day is coming, but the Christmas Season is already here. I don’t want to focus on the day itself and miss celebrating the event. I don’t want to be so busy that I sit down on December 26 and ask, “What happened to Christmas?”

What is the secret for experiencing the joy this season?

If I’m too busy getting things done that I can’t stop to speak with a friend, I’m missing the joy.

If I’m running late and I swear at the little old lady who cut me off, I’m missing the joy.

If I’m stressed to the max because I over committed and take it out on my family, I’m missing the joy.

This year, I am determined to enjoy the process. I am going to choose the extras that bring pleasure to family, friends, and myself…and leave the other undone.

Instead of moaning and complaining when interruptions or complications arise, I’ll try to find the joy in it. And perhaps the joy will start slow, but it will start to grow.

Christmas is coming. Christ already came. Let’s enjoy the gift that God has given to us.

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.