JOY!
"When they saw the STAR they were OVERJOYED. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worshiped him" Matthew 2:11
Tis' the season to be joyful, to celebrate the birth of a baby who was born to die so that we may live for eternity in heaven! But sometimes it is very hard to find JOY in this world... Sometimes all we want to do is skip this season that should be filled with JOY when we are filled with sadness. I watch parents I have come to know and love say goodbye to their babies, who then have to figure out a way to find JOY in what is left for them on this earth. I've watched my family say goodbye to their husband, father, grandfather only to think about what it will be like this Christmas without him at the dinner table. This world is filled with sadness, no doubt; but there is JOY that comes with knowing our reunion with loved ones is only separated by our time here on earth. Such a small increment of time when you think of spending eternity in heaven with your child, father, husband or grandfather!
So this season I have come up with many reasons to have JOY! And of
course I am going to show these to you in the form of photographs...
(big surprise right!?)
Joy is:
JOY is: Memories that are filled with people who no longer with us and honoring those who are in the arms of Jesus.
JOY is: Watching little brothers and sisters turn into amazing young adults with bright futures ahead of them.
JOY is: Attempting family pictures... and then getting two great shots!
JOY is: Having little girls look up to you as a role-model
JOY is: Pretending to be in high school again, enjoying the 'Twilight Saga' and trying on fur coats in dressing rooms, JOY is amazing Friends! 
JOY is: Watching the first snowfall of the year, and getting to experience a child's JOY as he experiences the JOY of SNOW for the very first time!
JOY is: Smiles and Laughter of Family! 
JOY is: Christmas Traditions
JOY is: Whatever we want it to be. JOY is something different for everyone, we get to choose what brings JOY to our lives. Today and in this Christmas season I choose JOY! Even though this world is not perfect, and there are many things I wish I could change that I cant, there is always the option of JOY! So will you choose JOY?
Merry Almost Christmas....
Loved this. Despite this study, I've been struggling to find joy in this season this year. I feel closer to God, but less in the Christmas spirit than any Christmas so far. I'm not sure why, but this was an excellent reminder of the decision we need to make to find the joy that's all around each of us every day. I'd love to meet you :) You're awesome!
ReplyDelete