I grew up a Southern Baptist girl with the sounds of Gaither music swirling in the air, both at home and at church. When I thought of joy this morning, a Gaither song came to mind.
Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning ...
I used to think joy meant happiness and laughing. I used to think sadness came when joy flew the coop. But now I know that joy isn't always a feeling.
I've learned that we can only know the fullest joy by going deeper in Jesus. Because once we do, we know Who's holding us in His great big capable hands. We trust that it'll all be okay, one way or another. We get that this isn't our home and these things don't matter nearly as much as we once thought they did. We could turn cartwheels over the prospect of spending eternity with Him in Person, every single day.
For me true joy is being wildly thankful, serenely at peace, and blindly trusting all at the same time. It's living life in relentless pursuit of Him and hanging on for dear life even through the tears and the turmoil. It's remembering that even if I can't smile now, I will again soon. It's knowing He's in control and He's already secured us and everything's gonna be alright.
Sometimes it all comes out in smiles and laughter, but the joy's still there when it doesn't. This is the truest, deepest, most amazing joy. The joy of the Lord.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5STOP.
Linking up with Gypsy Mama today for her 5-Minute Friday post (where she calls out a topic and we just write for five minutes without worrying whether it's just right or not.) Happy Friday to you!
17 comments:
Love it! Thanks for the reminder. Happy Friday to you, sweet friend.
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing, I too am learning that joy is not a feeling...and there is something so special about the morning, His joy really does come then! The Psalm you quoted reminded me of a Daryl Evans' song he sings, "tho sorrow may last for a night, your joy comes in the morning!"
I love the idea of handing onto him for dear life even when there is tear and turmoil. We so easily confuse joy with happiness and everything being peachy but deep joy surprises us in the midst of pain for we know we are in the hands of a Father who loves us.
Thanks so much I needed that reminder today : )
Amy, first of all I love the name of your blog! It is perfect!
Your post has so much wisdom in it. I love the second to last paragraph and specifically the line, "For me true joy is being wildly thankful, serenely at peace, and blindly trusting all at the same time." This is so true!
The picture you used makes me want to have a belly laugh, too! :-)
Thank you for sharing today!
Have a good weekend!
Brenda
"It's remembering that even if I can't smile now, I will again soon." Truth right there. Joy remembers. Excellent post. Thank you.
what a great reminder! Our joy can only be found in HIM. The old hymn "Joy Unspeakable & Full of Glory" came to my mind as I read your post. Have a great weekend.
Well said. He is the only well that never runs dry (and it is full of joy!). By the way I love your blog design!
First of all, I pop in here and immediately began laughing at your post picture! Now for this,
"For me true joy is being wildly thankful, serenely at peace, and blindly trusting all at the same time. It's living life in relentless pursuit of Him and hanging on for dear life even through the tears and the turmoil. It's remembering that even if I can't smile now, I will again soon. It's knowing He's in control and He's already secured us and everything's gonna be alright."
That pretty much sums it all up!
Amen, sister! Joy is found in Him!
Oh, my goodness... My husband and his sister use to sing that song as a duet. Does that bring back memories from 17 years ago!
I love this line... "I've learned that we can only know the fullest joy by going deeper in Jesus." That is so true. I've searched and tried to find joy elsewhere. It's simply not there. It in HIM we find lasting joy, peace and contentment.
Have a blessed weekend...
Mornings ... so many times when I close my eyes in sleep just wishing it would all get better, I at least know I'll feel better in the morning. Even if the circumstances remain unchanged, there's just something about the dawning of a new day. :) Blessings!
It was a crazy one! Thank you and TGIF-night!!!
Thank you, Brenda! I love your blog title, too, and I had to go check it out. Beautiful!!!
Thank you so much!
May we all laugh just like the lady in the picture! Have a great weekend:)
Fellow Gaither girl, huh? Awesome! Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a great weekend!
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