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| 424. boys who help their dad in the woods |
joy
my brothers whenever
you face trials
of any kind
this joy
it's not natural
this joy
it's a god-gift
and
chosen
could we choose to say
yes
to what god is doing
in the refining fires?
could we choose to say
yes
and in so doing
choose
joy?
what about you? have you ever consciously chosen joy in the midst of a trial?
and for these i am thankful:
416. james 1:2-5
417. time off school
418. my husband who believes in me
419. my girl, the one i mentor, she is persevering!
420. sweet potatoes from the garden
421. running down the mountain in the cold dawn of day
422. cadbury chocolate eggs for christmas
423. continued work on our small orchard
linking with-
michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann for 1000 gifts
I have heard those verses several times over the last few days. A beautiful reminder joy...it comes from Him and knowing Him and his goodness.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for time off work too... ;)
And cadbury chocolate eggs...yum!
Cadbury chocolate eggs for Christmas? I could find joy there. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, joy is a choice. I choose it.
Time off is definitely a joy for me...makes the trials easier to deal with. Of course, so does chocolate :) Happy break, Kendal! Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteOooh! You have your own homegrown sweet potatoes? You are fortunate indeed!
ReplyDeleteJoy is often something completely independent of happiness. It's something so much quieter, and so much steadier, something that doesn't require things to be going right. I always feel sorry for those who don't "get" that.
ReplyDeleteTo choose joy in the midst of the fire...blessed sacrifice of thanksgiving. Praying for your family during these days of fiery trials...
ReplyDeleteIt is not easy to choose joy, but more than worth the spiritual struggle to do it! Over the last 4 years, our family has had to choose joy again and again in the face of extended financial struggles. God is so faithful!! Even our weakest efforts to grab ahold of joy are met with floods of it from our Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteI have been making a conscious effort to try to, not only choose joy in the trials, but to thank him for them. Some trials, I still cannot understand a purpose for but all I know is that I am called to give thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis has sat on my heart for several months, especially during the month of August when my world seemed to be falling apart. But finally, as I brought my brokenness to God, as I confessed that I had forgotten who He is, I felt the wall of sorrow and angst and pain break down a little, and then, a little more, letting joy seep through the cracks.
ReplyDeleteYes, the choosing...we just watched this video on pro-bowl quarterback that I loved growing up...Randall Cunningham. If you have the chance to watch it, I know it will encourage--just longing with you for that joy-filled, resilient, invincible trust in His ways, plans, etc. Ok, here it is:
ReplyDeletehttp://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7208355
with much love, abby:}
What a handsome young man! Many blessings to you this day, Kendal. Choosing joy today.
ReplyDelete