No matter our station in life, our age, race, career or financial status, we all need good, uplifting, beautiful, and true experiences that propel us above the day-to-dayness and inevitable sorrows of life. We can never “arrive” at such a place in our lives that we don’t need the joy that is created in our hearts by all the wonderful stuff of life, from the simple to the extraordinary. 

As far as my part in this joy-finding quest, I am wanting to share my daily findings with everyone in hopes that someone will be inspired to become more intentional in purposefully looking for joy in their lives. Perhaps if we all focused on joys, looking for small rays of light on the very darkest of days, even seeing how the very sad times can still be redeemed with “laughter through tears”, then the tough parts of our daily lives wouldn’t be as hard and maybe the world would become brighter overall …. at work, in our homes, schools, on vacation, even in the great halls of government and religion. 

So, won’t you consider joining me in the journey towards joy?

Joy was easy to find today …. WV, my roots, visiting my brother…💙💛….nuff said. 

There are days that are mostly good, and for that I am thankful. I’ve been figuring out a more disciplined approach to my life in hopes of managing my anxiety better, naturally, and also trying to tackle a very busy season of transition. 

Today, joy hit me in the form of excitement for this plan, this method, I’m trying to learn and follow. That might sound crazy to some, but for me, it is filling me with a greater sense of calm and fueling my intent to trust God in all things, especially the big stuff of life. This is helping me to live each day, to be present in the moment, tackling only what is appointed to the day. The big picture is laid out , but it has been released to God. My responsibility is to do what is needed from me for each day. 

It’s new and in process , yet I feel hopeful and a great sense of joy. 

Today was an all around good day for a number of reasons; however, joy burst forth for me twice today because of the actions of my sons. 

My middle son shared with us today about feeling moved in his spirit because of a speaker that he heard on child trafficking today.  He’s already pursuing becoming a counselor. Now, his heart feels he might be purposed to counsel children. He asked for pray for direction and guidance in this. 

I’m already proud of him and who he is becoming, the choices he is making and how he is following Jesus. This simply reminded me of how excited I am to see God at work in the life of my son and to witness the Spirit shaping and transforming him to be the man God intended him to be from the start. 

Then, my older son called my daughter to invite her to join him for a concert. He got free tickets and thought of her, knew she would have a blast. 

That’s so him!  He’s giving, cares passionately for family, even when he argues with you. He’s spontaneous and fun, and he’s living life to the full as a grad student about to take on the world as a teacher, following his heart, his skills, his calling. 

Again, my heart was leaping with joy. How good it is for a parent to have the privilege of watching their children be who they were meant to be!!!

This looking for joy everyday is really about looking for all the ways God shows up in my life, all the ways He is Immanuel, God with us, all the time. I know I don’t truly realize all the God moments in my life, nor am I fully aware of His presence and work in my life at every minute in my day. However, the more purposeful I am in looking for joy, the more aware I am of God’s presence and His love for me. 

My hope is that my focus will grow and that my concentration on God will overcome all the stuff this world throws at me, to the point that the negative junk just becomes secondary , barely noticeable. This might take a lot longer than 100 days, yet, I am hopeful. Do you want to join me in this challenge to find joy in every day?

Community….there is a deep sense of joy in me that is there because of having lived in this small town for almost 18 years. I was reminded of this tonight at a high school girls’ basketball game. I have such gladness in my heart that we raised our kids here and kept them in a stable home all these years. 

We will be moving later this year, and we feel ready in our spirits. Yet, this community will always be a part of us. That joy will forever remain. 

l sat on the porch and sewed up a hole in my daughter’s sweater today. It’s January, for crying out loud!  I am one who actually loves snow, and I feel anxious about winter not lasting past December. For whatever reason , I psychologically need a full four seasons each year. 

However, it did feel lovely to sit on the porch and sew. It reminded me of my parents and what they taught me. I don’t have great skills at many handy homemaking tasks, but they taught me the basics, enough to be able to figure things out for myself much of the time. 

For that, I am so very grateful. My parents and family were far from perfect, but I did know I was loved, and both mom and dad valued learning and taught me a little about a lot of things. 

Dad taught me to check all my fluids in my car and how to take your time while winding up a long extension cord after working in the yard. Mom taught me how to sew on a button and mend a hole, as well as basic medical knowledge. They taught me how to think through things logically and what to do in a crisis. 

Life was simpler then, and sitting on the porch in my rocker, sewing, reminded me of it all, and I remembered my growing up years with joy. 

Soup from a friend, seeing a picture of my mom’s smiling face and knowing she had family visitors today, warm days in January, praying for a friend and their family, emails from friends who care….even though I’m sick and not very energetic or enthused, there is still joy. 

I watched the Innaugural events most of today. I found myself crying a lot, not from gladness. It just welled up from my spirit. I think it would’ve been the same if Hillary was the one up there being sworn into the highest office in our land.

 I didn’t feel there was a good choice for this election. I felt cynical and frustrated, like my vote didn’t matter one way or the other. I felt that the lives of “normal people” are so far removed from the “powers that be” and the celebrities, superstars, and wealthy of this world that we may as well give up and just live our lives. Yet , I did research and I did vote what I thought was the lesser of two evils. 

Nonetheless , my spirit was crying today…then, I heard The Spirit speak within me, and I spoke the words right back to Him…”my hope is in You.”  I do not fear. I have joy even in the midst of my doubts and sorrow….because my hope is in Him….my life is in His hands, as are the lives of my friends and family… our eternal purpose rests with His….no matter what happens….

I’m purposely spending my days looking for joy. This is partly for your sake, if you’re reading this, to encourage you to do the same. Yet, it’s also very much for me, to keep me focused on the positive. Knowing that someone might be reading this everyday is keeping me accountable to doing it. 

Yesterday, I was full of joy watching my daughter have a senior picture photo shoot. It was only a half hour or so, in freezing cold wind, but it was so fun. I love watching her smile and seeing her confidence and beauty radiate. 

Today, she’s working on my hair in her lab at school. I put on my purple winter coat to come over to her school, and as I did, I smiled because I love purple and am glad I have a coat this color. I know, that’s simple and maybe silly, nevertheless , it brings me joy. 

I’m finding that joy isn’t elusive if we look for it on purpose, in the middle of the mundane and ordinary, or in the midst of sadness, as well as in the big, heart filling moments like watching your children grow into themselves. Joy is there to be found in all of life. It simply takes an intentional “looking for it on purpose” approach to every day. It’s a matter of choice, and I’ve decided to choose to do this because it’s been changing my perspective for the last couple years as I’ve been more purposeful in this pursuit. I figured doing this blog would increase that perspective change.

It’s like any discipline we choose to practice. Over time and consistent effort, we develop habits and eventually, those actions become second nature. We are changed forever by the literal transformation of our minds. 

So, I’m going to keep chasing after joy wherever and whenever I can find it, big or small, and believe that God is going to use this to change me for the good, to be more the person He meant me to be from the start.