Finding Focus Friday: JOY!

"If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your JOY will be full." 

~John Piper

I will have JOY... It's not an emotion. 

"God will show me the path of life; In His presence is fullness of JOY; At His right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

So today...I make double dinner...and I shuffle about to get it to a friend who can barely speak to me anymore...who drools as I pretend I don't see...who gives me NO reasons to complain and every reason to be close...to share Christ with a renewed sense of urgency.

The focus can NOT be on me and my sadness. Giving me my own pain gives me a place to speak from...and a heart to help. So, I'm loving in the hard places. So, I will have JOY...I will "count it all JOY when I fall into various trials." James 1:2

I will bear fruit...because "the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness an self-control." Gal. 5:22-23

He speaks comfort to me..."These things about Himself He has spoken to me, that His JOY might remain in me, and that my JOY may be full." John 15:11

For Crying Out Loud!

I abhor crying in public...or crying anywhere outside the sanctity of my home.  But, as God breaks down my pride, through the course of current trials, and makes me more His own, it seems that I am not in control...at all...even of my tears.

In the past, the only time you'd see me in tears was if I was ANGRY!  And the tears just made me even more furious.  Weakness for all to see.  Even tears that started out sad tears, if shown in public, made me angry.  Weakness for all to see.

It's funny that I don't mind the tears of others...and have encouraged dear friends to cry.  And, I do not consider them weak.  I understood that in some ways they were brave...braver than me...for being so vulnerable.  Yet, the grace I offered them I never offered myself.

I don't cry when I'm supposed to, like when it's safe...like when I fell into the arms of my Mom and we were alone and I could have bawled if I'd wanted to...I didn't...I got a little misty eyed but no overwhelming emotion I couldn't control.

And yet today, I go to the grocery store after putting my kiddos on the bus for school day number one and seriously consider leaving, going home and getting back in bed.  Every item, song, thought...made me want to cry.  I was barely hanging on to my dignity.  And it wasn't about one thing...it was about everything.  I prayed I wouldn't run into anyone I knew 'cuz I thought if a friend hugged me I'd just turn into a puddle right then and there.  I scuttled home...to listen to music and try to get a grip.

I worry that people will think I'm spiritually weak.  Although I fully believe in God's Sovereignty over my life and the life of those I love...sometimes I am overwhelmed.  It's not that I don't trust God...I just can't keep on the brave face all the time...and sometimes I feel sad.

This is really the prayer of my heart...this song..."God, You are my God and I will trust in You and not be shaken.  Lord of Peace, renew a steadfast spirit within me, to rest in You alone!"

Key Into Hodgepodge

 

1. What would you say is the key to success?
I love this quote by CS Lewis, "It is not your business to succeed, but to do right.  When you have done so the rest lies with God."  So, I guess I'd say the key to success is following God.

2. Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? Any desire to visit that part of the US of A? 

I have not been to the keys...well, at least I don't think so. Not since I've been an adult and can remember my own memories.  I have enjoyed every visit to Florida...sure, I'd visit.  When do you want to go?

3. When and where did you last see a real live donkey? Monkey? Turkey?
I saw all three at the Cincinnati Zoo at the beginning of the summer.
  4. An old Portuguese proverb says, 'Beware of the door with too many keys.' What do you think this means? Share an example of how this has proven true or false in your own life.
Take the most effective path in life...the one with the least steps, because too many may confuse you, like a door that has too many keys.  OR  Beware of the door that has too many keys...it may not be meant to open. OR  Time to change the lock.
  5. Besides your home, vehicle, and special jewelry, what is something you keep under lock and key?
Passports, birth certificates, checks and banking.
  6. When did you last get keyed up about something?
Sorry, I had to look it up...
keyed up:

adjective nervous, strained, anxious, tense, under pressure, restless, wound up (informal), wired (slang), uptight (informal), on edge, jumpy, twitchy (informal), overwrought, strung up (informal), on tenterhooks, fidgety, antsy (informal), wrought up.  Example:  I wasn't able to sleep that night, I was so keyed up!

Well, gee...that sound pretty accurate for my morning.  Thanks.  Now I know what to call it.

7. Who thinks we need an easy one right about now?  Key lime pie...yes please or no thank you?
Yes please...for an easy question and the pie!
  8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Tune Tuesday: Though You Slay Me...

I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who's broken
The one who's torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I'll know every tear was worth it all

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

Though tonight I'm crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You're still all that I need
You're enough for me
You're enough for me

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

by Shane and Shane with message from John Piper

Monday Musings....on Friendship...

“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” ― Albert Camus

“We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet. Even longer,' Pooh answered.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?” ― Jane Austen

Sew Saturday: Garage Sale Find

10 cents!!!!

Fitness Friday