Joy in Christ...

 Being very hypersensitive, I'm always very in touch with my feelings, often too much so.  I'm at a place in life where I feel very burnt out, very frustrated and very trapped.  In the midst of this, comes a hint of joy that is nudging me around the edges...plunge into this place of joy that nothing can take from you...what is this?  It is the reality that Christ Jesus, Himself is with me in EVERYTHING.  Those early morning drives, alone in my car, in the dark, to a job that I dislike...He is there.  His guardian angels set out each morning sitting on the top of my car, guiding me away from the deer, away from accidents and safely to my destination.  When I'm sitting at my desk, struggling to focus due to the ravages of a postmenopause brain, discouraged, feeling trapped and frustrated, He is there.  When I'm home cleaning the bathrooms, cooking the meals, doing the laundry, in my marriage, in all of my relationships, even the most mundane things, Jesus is THERE!  He, alone, is the source of everything that I long for.  His Presence, Peace and Purpose are THERE!  In joy, in sorrow, in good times, in bad times, He is THERE.  

"You will show me the path in life, in Your presence is fullness of joy."  Psalms 16:11

Pockets of Joy

 Been struggling again with feeling weary, burned out and discouraged.  Trying to hold down a job, take care of our home, stay connected to family and friends along with dissapointments, etc. has been taking a toll on me.  I always expect too much, care too much and am way too sensitive it seems.  I don't enjoy my job much, it's just a JOB, but it's what I have to deal with right now and maybe for a very long time.  So, what do I do?  I try to find little "pockets of joy" in my life.  What are those things right now?  They are the Tuesday afternoons when I get off of work early that I take time to visit my niece, have lunch with a friend and maybe do a bit of shopping up in the city.  These times refresh me a lot.  Other pockets of joy include my time spent in the Word with Jesus each morning, the precious time I get to keep our home clean and cook and help Rob with our yard work.  They are the moments on weekends when we sit down to a meal with my mom and dad or Rob's family or some of our friends.  

If you're discouraged right now and who isn't?  Try finding and guarding those little pockets of joy in your life.  And remember, "The Joy of the Lord is our strength."  Even when everything is going wrong, if have Jesus, we can have joy!  Joy Unspeakable!

Things that Bring Me Joy...

 Been going through a rough patch...despair...struggling as a post menopausal woman.  So much I could say.  But, today, I thought, what brings me joy?  I started to make a list...coffee with my niece, Luanna and her little gal, Evie; cooking; keeping our house nice; playing piano; studying the Bible.  Right there are several lovely things.  What are things that do NOT bring me joy?  Feeling tied to a dead end office job when I really want to focus more on homemaking.  This is really hard.  But, I am here.  Jesus is in control and He is allowing this in my life right now.  So, I have to do what Paul said in Philippians.  Think on good things.  Things that are good, lovely, praiseworthy and of a good report.  Some of those things are the ones I already mentioned, coffee with my niece, cooking, the time I DO have to keep our home, playing piano, studying the Bible.  Perhaps the joyless activities will help to make the Joyful activities even more enjoyable.  Lord Jesus, help me to find my greatest joy in You alone.  You truly are "Jesu, joy of man's desiring."