I could write about all the details of my last few days, but I’m exhausted. I do want to honor God, though, and say that His peace has been very real to me these last few days and there is nothing greater that could give me joy. 

On a day, a weekend, jam packed full of planning for the future, when my head is spinning, a time to just blatantly laugh is such a welcome relief. Thank you NBC’s 90th year celebration for giving me some joy in the form of escaping reality for a little while 😂

I am blessed to have a big, somewhat crazy and chaotic, extended family. Yesterday was one of those days of enjoying them, celebrating new life coming into the family, and embracing one another in our uniqueness. Though there are sometimes sorrows mixed in with our family interactions , being with them always brings me a sense of joy. 

For several reasons, I didn’t write last night, and all of these reasons have added up to joy for me today: 

1. I did two of our kids’ taxes, except city = VICTORY!

2. I had to sit for my oral evaluation for my coaching class this morning, and I passed! = Relief

3. I’m on my way to my future hometown to house hunt, job search, see family, and go see my middle son; which all indicates life is moving forward. = ExCiTeMeNt!

Also, as an added perk, I just left a surprise for my oldest son in his car at work 😁 and I’m so very thrilled for my daughter’s weekend ahead as she will attend her last Clergy Kids’ retreat as a participant. 💞

Therefore, TODAY my JOY is bubbling up from a very deep place within me…all my fountains are in You, Lord. (Psalm 87:7)

I’m still searching here. I haven’t given up, and won’t , but there are times when I’m processing and can’t get to the point of being ready to write. Yesterday, I experienced a couple or three moments of true realization and awareness of God’s presence and of the Spirit speaking to my heart and mind. I felt a tangible easing of my stress and tension as well as a fullness that I haven’t been feeling of late. It was more relief than what most would identify as joy, but I want everyone to understand that there are many aspects to our experiences of joy. 

So, how to I find The words to write and explain how my joy is impacted by moments of aunthentic communion with God? Sometimes there are no words….

Yes, that’s what I said, but food really isn’t my focus of joy today. It’s simply what chocolate covered strawberries represent on a day like today, Valentine’s Day, that is. 

Sweetness, a bit of sour, rich decadence, and the slight bitterness of semi-sweet chocolate….somehow this is all representative of all the celebrations of love on this special day. So, hopefully you enjoyed some today, as my daughter and I did, and maybe now you might ponder the significance of how chocolate covered strawberries came to be an example of all that’s wrapped up in our love for others…all the joys and sorrows, the sweetness along with the tart and the bitter. 

Possibilities viewed positively, instead of with fear of the negative, bring hope…and hope makes me smile , keeps me moving forward, gives me joy. 

What about you?  I know some days it’s easy to fear the unknown and see all the potential dangers or disappointments, yet, we can choose to see potential possibilities with hope instead …. and that can make all the difference in our being able to press on…

Yes, I didn’t post yesterday. I’m tempted to do two posts today to catch up, but the fact is, I have enough on my slate today and it’s supposed to be a day of rest. 

I’ve been living mostly overwhelmed the last several months because of the season of life transitions in which I find myself. There is a lot on my plate for which I’m responsible right now, and there really isn’t much I can do to let go of any of it. Therefore, it has to be managed , and I’ve employed lists and people to help, as well as accountability, in order to move forward one step at a time, knowing that in six months or so, give or take, my life will be in a new phase and hopefully will once again be more settled.

Right now, I don’t have any margins, no space to add things in or say yes to extras or for spontaneity. Even my rest/relaxation times are scheduled in, and I hang tightly to them because I know I require them or else I’m no good to anyone or anything. So, in the midst of all this, at times I get too concentrated on the details of the moment and forget the bigger picture …. I mean THE BIG PICTURE. 

Reminders to turn my gaze toward eternity and my eternal purpose have been coming at me from multiple people and books, songs and sermons, in the last week or so. So today, the thought of Heaven is bringing me joy. I’m not just meaning Heaven , per se, but rather, The Kingdom, God’s home, being with Him…

There is comfort and joy for me today, in particular because it’s the Sabbath, and the thought of just resting in the arms of my Abba Father is exactly what I need. 

Yesterday was one of those days when Joy was obvious, and it was abundant. From my oldest son getting his clearance to graduate with his MEd to my middle son calling me and sharing more about how he’s chasing after the calling God has placed on his heart,  to hearing about how one of my daughter’s best friends was miraculously protected in a horrible car wreck (an obvious story of the protection by an angel), and finally to my own accomplishing of some of my to-do list biggies and getting two nights of decent sleep, it all added up to overflowing joy and feeling truly alive. 

I know, I’ve already posted about snow being a cause for joy, but in a winter with very little snow, I couldn’t help but be giddy when I first saw some flakes. In my opinion, winter is all about the snow. I’m so very thankful for this white stuff!!!: