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When the smolder of another Tennessee Summer begins to bid adieu, a magical show of God's amazing artistry bursts forth in the countryside and ushers in my favorite time of year. Colors of marigold, azure, magenta and crimson begin to awaken in the tops of the mountains dancing joyfully from tree to tree.
Our yard comes alive with the dancing of leaves, the colors of Oak, Ash, Dogwood. Birch and Walnut trees bow and bend in the brisk breeze, giving up their leaves to a green lawn that seems to welcome the spectacular show.
Oh, how I love Fall in Tennessee! It brings great joy to be outside, enjoying the blessing of seeing the Smoky Mountain range in the distance! Isn't it funny how when something is dying (the leaves, the flowers, the foliage, that is) that it brings forth so much joy to us, His people?! We hear Him in the rustle of the leaves, in the low, Autumn sky, in the goodbye of the birds. "I love you this much" we seem to hear Him say. "I made this just for you!"
Only a loving God could dream up such a magnificent site. We start the fire on Friday night in the backyard and gather 'round with sticks and marshmallows. All the young ones with sticky faces, big grins. Nothing really brings more simple joy than that.
I pray you are finding joy in the simple things of this season. The laugh of a grandchild. The smoosh of a marshmallow in your mouth. The crunch of the Fall leaves under your feet
on a long walk around the neighborhood. I pray you are finding joy in the promise that God made this season just for you.
"When you think of God's good grace, how He made this awesome place, your sad days should be so few, 'cause all the world was made for you!"
What is your favorite part of this season that is bringing you joy this Fall?
More joy for your journey,
I don't know about you, but sometimes I let circumstances get the best of me and I just don't feel joy in any way. I know deep in my heart that my relationship with Jesus isn't about feelings, but facts. About unconditional love, about forgiveness and about acceptance into the family of Christ. But sometimes I just feel like everybody around me is more worthy of joy than me. Or that everybody else is on a 'joy ride' and my car has run out of gas in the middle of the road.
I know, I know. Romans 8:28 tells us that 'we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them that are called according to His purpose. It's just that lately I don't quite seem to have a purpose - or at least that is how I am feeling. And try as I might, I find it doubly hard to find joy in - - well - - anything.
BUT (and its a very big BUT), I know in my heart that being stalled on the joy-ride is a hard place to be. I have never been patient. Ever. I have always needed something to find purpose in.
So, right now, as my fingers strike each key, I choose to find joy in being able to communicate myself to you, - not as anything other than a child of God. Right now, I choose to find joy in knowing that no matter what the future holds for me, I will find joy in it if I choose to see God's plan, God's hand, God's path for my life. And while I might be stalled in the road, completely stalled on this path momentarily, I am going to choose to find the joy in it.
I read last evening something that resonated with me, deep down inside. Oswald Chambers wrote, "There is only one relationship that matters, and that is your personal relationship to a personal redeemer and Lord. Let everything else go, but maintain that at all costs, and God will fulfill His purpose through your life."
Today I choose to see where I am going, and not so much where I currently am stalling. I claim joy for this journey called life, a journey that has purpose and meaning not because of how I feel inside, or whose payroll I am on, but because of the promises of God!
I have decided that the more time I am spending meditating and studying God's Word, the less time I have to spend on self-centeredness. The more time I spend trying to serve others - even in small ways - the less time I have to worry about losing my joy. And that brings more joy than I deserve.
Have you ever felt less joyful than every one around you? What comfort did you find in your quiet time that was a help? What promises of God did you hold on to?
More joy for your journey,
Recently a friend was excited to tell me she was making a few changes in her life. The thing that she was so thrilled to mention was how she was giving up sugar for 17 days. She proceeded to tell me that the experts are now saying you can form a new habit in seventeen days instead of twenty-one. Well I had not heard that, but if seventeen days sounds more attainable to make some positive adjustments in our lives, I'm personally all for it!
Tracy and I decided that in the crazy busy days that lie ahead, we could all use some more joy.
And we thought the number seventeen is the perfect number of days to slip some joy and encouragement into your lives. What if you could have a habit of more joy in just seventeen days? Well it's a great place to start isn't it? Please join us!
ALSO! We are so excited that you have joined us here we are having a giveaway! Check out below how to have your name put in for the drawing!
