A Joyful Mission

Living Life Joyfully

Recently, I read a story about a lady who had struggled with infertility but was eventually able to have 3 beautiful children with her husband. During her pregnancies, she had had some other vague discomforts which everyone chalked up to her being pregnant. It ended up, however, that they discovered she had some rare cancer that was at a stage 4 just after the premature birth of her third child. She was devastated. In searching for answers, she came across 2 people who helped turn her story from fear to joy.

The first person was a doctor that she had found in Canada who dealt with this type of cancer who told her to “Just live.”. In other words, her doctor told her to enjoy the life that she had, at this point, to the fullest. The doctor wanted this woman to enjoy her family and enjoy spending time with them and to help them to store up good memories for the future. The second person was a person (whom she saw on a video) who was also suffering from cancer, but was dancing around with her bald head and doing cartwheels or walking on her hands and laughing. Seeing that video changed her attitude towards her disease and she began, slowly at first, to run, then run marathons, then triathlons. It didn’t make the cancer go away but instead of being depressed and down, she began to live her life joyfully, one day at a time. This was three and a half years ago and the story ended where she stated that she wanted to be able to see her youngest go to school.

I liked this story because it inspires me to look at life differently and definitely work to finding the joy in the midst of the bad. Maybe our story isn’t as bad as hers, maybe it’s worse. I just know that despite our circumstance that we are in, our attitude can change. Maybe your issue isn’t your health but maybe it’s someone or something that’s outside of your control. Whatever the circumstance, we need to choose joy.

When we choose joy in dealing with ALL of life’s hills and valleys then it helps us to be able to get through just a little bit easier. I know that we are all entitled to feel down and be bummed out about what we are dealing with and/or whatever the issue is, but, somehow, the joy will and can begin to overtake being down. It certainly can’t hurt and may just give us the boost we need to get through. (Related post: Traversing the hills and valleys of life with grace)

What did I learn from this? I’ve been there in the valley and I’ve been worried and frustrated and tired and indeed angry, at times, but when I found my joy (and my joy is, most assuredly, in God), I begin to change. No matter the issue that I’m dealing with, I’m finding my laughter more and my ability to smile more and….. just more. I’m also finding that the more that I can share in other’s pain and share with them from mine, I grow. I grow as a woman, as a mother, as a wife, as a daughter, as a sister and mostly….. as a friend.

So, what can you gain from this? Challenge yourself to try to find what makes you joyful. Is it music? Is it dancing? Is it …….? Fill in that blank. Come out of the dark and begin to see that this too shall pass. Your time in the valley WILL pass. It’s just temporary, then after, go out and share your story to encourage others because you’ve been there. You should be heard that you are a survivor.

“My peace I give you”

In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

This world that we are living in today is a mess! It’s very hard NOT to be troubled. The only thing that gives me hope is Jesus. When I know that I can look to Him for guidance and security in this world and in the next, then I know that ALL OF THIS that we are going through is really temporary. The real goal in this life is to treat others the same way that I want to be treated and to do what I can to help others get there (with Jesus) as well.

Am I perfect? NOPE!! I just live with a conviction that God has put me on this earth for a purpose, and the fun part of it is…. He’s not done with me yet! We have to be brave in this world. That means stepping out and doing some uncomfortable things like speaking out about your faith or standing up for unpopular beliefs (for some) like being pro-life. It’s about trusting that God’s got you when you quit a livelihood to go and do something COMPLETELY different (that’s me, by the way). It’s about losing “friends” because you stand out when you stand for what’s right and just and speak your mind. Of course the list goes on from there.

It’s not easy being a Christian in today’s world, either. You have those who try to shame you because of the church you go to or because they don’t like the person that you are trying to be. The thing of it is, is that you were meant to stand out and not stand with the group. God designed each and every one of us with a purpose in mind. When we learn to be okay with that, that’s when the passage above makes the most sense. Jesus’s disciples began to recognize this and know and understand that very principle of His peace. The very essence that we are and are meant to be, also rests in this principle…. that is having peace when nothing else makes sense. Don’t let the worries of this world bring you down! Keep your eyes focused on Him, no matter what…. that is what it means to have peace. (Related post: An Act of Faith and Finding the Strength Within Our Struggles)

What did I learn from this? In The Chosen, I constantly see Jonathan Roumie turning his eyes up to Heaven. Yes, I know that he is playing a part but still that is the perfect example of what we all need to do as well. We need to do that more so now than ever, actually! I have found myself turning more and more to God all throughout each and every day. By doing so, I have gained more peace than could certainly be imagined with all of the things happening in this world. I have also found that my trust in God has also risen as well. I don’t always understand what God wants me to do or even why I’m on this particular path, but I trust that He will show me in time. (Related post: Just going with the flow….)

So, what can you gain from this? My hope is that you can use what I said here to help jump start your own faith in action. That’s really what it is, isn’t it? Your journey is not done yet! Your path is not yet finished! It takes a lot, I know, to trust completely especially when we like to see where we are going. I’ve been there and trust me, in the long-term, you won’t regret “Letting Go and Letting God!” (Related post: Which is the better choice, the destination or the journey?)

Only God….

It’s been a while since I wrote anything. I’m very sorry for that. I had recently been going through some health issues that I needed surgery for. I had a cyst inside of me that was dragging my strength to the point where I didn’t want to do anything! That’s such a bummer!!

So, what does that have to do with the title of “Only God”…. well, I’m going to tell you.

Only God can get us through the day when we don’t feel as though we can get through the door. Only God will send us people and messages and other ways of encouraging us to keep going even when we just want to curl up and stay in one spot for a while. Only God knows what’s in our hearts and minds even if we don’t say the words, He already knows and loves us that much more. Only God sees us, all of us. He sees our faults, our failings, our triumphs and our joy. Only God asks us to trust Him in EVERYTHING that happens in our lives, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Knowing that God was there during my journey, helped me to push through. Was it easy, no. However, I know that our God has a plan for each and every one of us. Only God sent His Son, Jesus, to walk among us, teach us, and ultimately die for us. Only God would have done that. God suffered like we have suffered. We have a God that is relatable because He’s been there. Now my prayer is that I can be there for others when they are at there lowest. It’s the very least that I can do after all that He’s done for me.

What did I learn from this? Anyone who reads this should be able to see themselves with the same feelings. We are all in this world together. It doesn’t matter where you live, what your culture is, the color of your skin or even what you’ve been through. We’ve ALL been through things that drag us down. Let’s start seeing each other, not through eyes of distrust but through the eyes of understanding.

So, what can you learn from this? Begin to see each other how God sees us. I know that it is difficult with some people. I certainly get that. Remember though that those are the ones who need Him the most. You might not be able to “fix” them, but prayer is never wrong. While, we might not make a huge dent in what’s going on in the world, but, at least, we can work on our own small area. Remember also that Jesus started out in a small area too (and he didn’t have the technology that we have now! LOL!).

Oh and btw-I just found out that my cyst was negative for malignant cells (Hallelujah!!). Only God can change my story for the better! Have you thought yet about how He can change yours, too? Something to think about….

Jehovah-Nissi: Name of God

The name, Jehovah-Nissi means “the Lord is our banner.” and is found in Exodus 17:15 after Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands which helped Joshua to win the war against the Amalek. After the battle, Moses built an alter in honor to God with the name Jehovah-Nissi which represents the victory and triumph that God gives to His people of Israel.

Banners are often used to represent a standard that are raised from nations as a symbol of hope and as a focal point for soldiers. God can also be seen by us, in the everyday, as a banner of encouragement to give people His people hope and a focal point. This is especially important in what is going on in the world today.

It is very hard to see through all the rhetoric that’s going around to look towards God. Instead, all we seem to see is so much division and hatred that is spewed towards each other. We have a role model in God who doesn’t look and see the outside or heritage or what we’ve done as important; instead, He sees and knows that what is on the inside of each individual that counts. God sees the potential of us

Why is it so hard for us to see others that way, as well?

Are we also not called to be soldiers of our faith? We need to stand for what is good and holy and reject anything that is sinful. That banner waves ahead for all of us to look and see that we have a God who loves us regardless of what we’ve done in the past! We have a God who will protect us and give us hope that victory will happen even when we are in a time of great stress. He has never left us. He has stayed true even when we’ve turned our backs on Him. To that, I say “Thank you!” I know that I am not worthy of this gift but I take it with all gratitude and humility. Knowing Him has made me a better person.

So, what have I learned from this? I can’t make it in this world without Him. I think and know that I would become too bogged down by all the negativity if I didn’t have Him in my life. I NEED Him to survive! He is the well that never runs dry. He is the banner that I search for when I need a boost to my soul. His mercy and love, I crave like food and know that I am better because He is there with me every step of my journey.

What can you gain from this? When you ask God to come into your life, be prepared for a wild and wonderful ride! You don’t have to hide anymore. He sees you just as you are and will always be there to hold you up. Following our Father doesn’t negate the bad things from happening, He just helps you to know that He’s there to help you through it…. and that’s what counts the most!

No Guarantees

Sometimes, don’t you wish that life could have something like the guarantees that come with cars, electronics and appliances? It sure would be nice…. sometimes. I say “sometimes” because even as hard as this life can be and feel at times, I have found that by not having that guarantee about an easy life has helped me to see God in a bigger way. No guarantee means that I have to trust God with the outcome instead of expecting the outcome that I would want to see.

The hardest journey that we as humans have to take is that of trust, especially when it comes to God. We want to yank back control on every occasion when, if we truly trust God, then we will get where we need to be so much faster. Admittedly, we tend to mess things up when we don’t give that trust over to God. We like to rush things and we know that it can be difficult to stand on faith when we have a world that is not kind to believers. We are made fun of, mocked, challenged and ridiculed, all because they don’t believe.

I also bring up this idea of guarantees because I have a sister-in-law who is struggling with bouts of cancer that keep coming back. Understandably, she is angry and tired. I am also sure, as with any of us, she asks God, “Why?”. It’s hard to find the joy in living when the future is so uncertain. However, I think that is the purpose…. finding joy within the sorrows that living brings.

Yes, there are no guarantees in life. We ALL suffer in some way. Whether it is through our health, our relationships, our families, our jobs (or professions), or our ______ (fill-in-the-blank). Living life means dealing with sorrows. The difference that tells the true tale is perhaps how you deal with your sorrows. They don’t go away but the one guarantee that we do have? Our God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to us. Jesus died for us. Trust me, He knows what suffering is. That is the very definition of the only guarantee that we need! (Related post: The God of Everything).

So, what did I learn from this? I like knowing that I have a God who loves me enough even though I am not worthy of that love at all! It just fills me up with joy even when things get difficult or I become frustrated. He helps sustain me in those times that I need Him but also, I know that He’s there even when things are going just fine. It’s that balance that He gives me and that’s all that I need to be sustained.

What can you learn from this? Remember Philippians 4:7 which says, ” And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In fact, I keep seeing these videos on YouTube which others have been showing how the Bible states 365 times, “Do not be afraid.” There is your constant, daily, reminder that the only guarantee that you need, is God. Don’t worry, He’s got this and I can guarantee that!

Roots and Wings

At one point when I was younger, I saw that my mom had found a wonderful saying that was hanging in our den. I’m sure that she had found it at some garage sale or thrift store. Anyway, this saying has always stuck with me. It says, “There are two things that we can give our children: One is Roots and the other is Wings.” I remember asking my mom at that time what it meant and she told me that the roots are what we get as we grow up. It’s our values and the core of who we are. The wings are the gifts that our parents give us so that we can soar on our own in the world, and that we can be productive citizens.

With my new job with a different school board (a neighboring parish), I’m working with students who have behavior issues although actually it’s more that I’m also working with the teachers and administrators so that they can help these students as well. Even though I knew this from before from my time as a teacher, I have also realized something important as well, there are so many people who didn’t grow up the way that I did or even the way that my husband did. You see, both my husband and I grew up with both a mother and father who stayed together, no divorces, no messy separations. During my time here, there are so many things that I’m hearing these students go through and some of them haven’t been near as lucky. It’s hard for them to develop wings when their lives have been so boggy. They never had the chance to develop those good roots that my husband and I have had.

So, how could I help them when it’s hard for me to understand the sort of things that they have had to go through?

I do a lot and a lot of praying and I know that God gives me the words when I don’t have any. (Related post: An Act of Faith). So, essentially, He helps me to tell them that they have untapped strength inside them. He helps me to let them know that they have a purpose and a meaning, that they can be so much more than what they’ve experienced in this world and that they can also help others who have been in similar situations.

Many, many times we don’t truly know why we have been on the path that we are on. Sometimes, it is through the choices that we’ve made and sometimes it’s by sheer happenstance. Yet each experience can be used to help us to grow those roots so that we can develop our own wings. We just have to remember that we are never alone on this journey that we call life. All we have to do is look up. (Related post: The Path to Redemption).

So, what did I learn from this? I can be a vessel to show others who God is. He is compassion. He is love. He is redemption. He is joy. My roots run deep because I do have a family that loves and cares for me. I am lucky in that and I don’t take it for granted at all. However I have come to this job, I see it as a ministry and a way to show others the compassion, love, redemption and joy that God has shown me. Am I always successful? Unfortunately and sadly, no. As I work with children, their parents and all of those who work with them as well, my hope is that I can plant a seed that when watered, will grow and become something beautiful later on. This is always my prayer.

What can you learn from this? Think about your own journey that you’ve been on. I’m sure that it hasn’t all been sunshine and roses. I’m sure (like all of us), you’ve battled the storms and thorns of life. As you’ve come through, you have come out stronger and more resilient than ever. When you do get through, then be sure to say “Thank you!” to the Man upstairs. He’s been holding your hand and carrying you the whole time (even though you may not have seen it at that time), so give Him a little bit of love and acknowledgement. I think that He would appreciate that.

Grace Received, Grace Given

My job has recently changed and I now work with a different school system. My current job focuses on helping administrators, teachers, parents and students to work through some of the behavior that we see on a daily basis and the hinderance that it has on a student’s education. I only point that out because of what I see, I have to look past the behavior to what’s underneath it. In fact, I have to look at the feelings and the needs that go along with why a person is acting the way that they are. I’m not a social worker, just a person who has had lots and lots of experience dealing with behavior. In fact, I feel (believe) that I went through all those other things in my own life, just to get to this point. I’ve learned (and continue to learn) from my own mistakes and use them to try and help others grow as well.

Why did I tell you all that? Here’s why…..

In dealing with all the issues that are coming up in today’s world, it made me realize how amazing that our God truly is. Not that I EVER had a doubt before, but I know that I ABSOLUTELY see it more so, now. It’s my job to try and figure out why the student is acting the way he or she is. Yet, we have a God who already knows why we are acting the way that we are. He puts up with so much from us and still wants a relationship with us! Even though He sees and knows all, He gives us free will but He wants us to trust Him and give that will back to Him when things aren’t going quite right in our life or in the world. He gave us guidelines and rules (the Bible) that tell us what to look for, how to act and what to do so that can put us on that pathway to Him. He also gave us His Son, Jesus, just to save us from our own sinful nature. He wants us to be with Him in Heaven when our time on earth is done. Why? That’s His Grace that we’ve received…. and it was freely given!

The thing is, is that we have a God who loves us more than we love ourselves.

And here comes another kicker…..

We are called to be a new creation when we accept God into our lives, but how many times have we failed to give that same grace to others? We are so quick to jump and condemn the person who is acting out but fail look at the feeling and the need behind that behavior. Of course, it’s never to excuse the behavior and to not give consequences that are earned, but, grace is instead needed to help that person to work through the why’s and reason’s for their behavior so that they can make better choices in the future. Remember, we have ALL sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. So, we need to take a step back and look at others just in the same way that God looks at us….. with mercy and grace.

So, what have I learned from this? I’m humbled and there are a thousand times that I wish that I could go back and do some things differently, but I can’t. All I can do, is to go down a different path than the one that I was on. This new path has Jesus at the end. This new path is where I am guided by the Holy Spirit. This new path has shown me something that I didn’t think as deeply about before…. God is love and mercy and grace. So, how can I do anything differently as a Christian? Am I always successful? NO! I still continue to work on it because of my sinful nature as a human and I continuously send thanks to Him who created me. I NEED Him to guide me so that I can give out that same grace that I have received.

What can you learn from this? When you fully accept that God loves you and when you realize that He sees past all of the hurt and the pain and the anger that causes you to act out, then you will truly know peace. God doesn’t hold our past over our heads and He certainly doesn’t tell us that we can’t be with Him because of the choices that we’ve made. Know that what we receive from God, can also be given to others. It’s a gift that never loses it’s value when it’s passed on.

Look Up!

I love to scroll through Pinterest! I always find something that gives me a boost. There was a post that I saw recently that really made me think. It was a picture of Jonathan Roumie who plays Jesus in The Chosen series and he was looking up. The statement that was on it went something like this (I’m going to paraphrase it)… Look past (to our) mistakes; Look around (in our) worries; Look up (to) God.

Not sure if you caught that but it was a very revealing statement to me. How often do we continue to look back at our past? To the things that we’ve done and yet cannot change? How often do we look around and worry about the world around us? Can we change what’s going on? OR…. Do we look up to our God who redeems us and gives us hope for and towards something that we cannot see?

None of us can change who we were but we can learn from it. None of us can fix our past mistakes but we can grow because of it. None of us can change what is happening in the world but we can learn from it. None of us can fix what is broken in others but we can lead others by our example. None of our worries and/or anxieties can be changed EXCEPT by the belief that we have a God who loves us and took all of what we are onto the cross as His Son, Jesus, who suffered and died for us. Nobody can do that but God. Nobody has done that but God. Nobody WILL do that… but God!

He gives me hope as He should for all of us! God NEVER promises what He will not deliver. We don’t know the time that it will occur but we have to trust His process. There is a reason why He makes us wait. As for me, yes, I will continue to be impatient for it because now I know that it’s going to be good! (Related posts: God’s in the Details and God’s Promise)

So, what did I learn from this? It’s hard not to look back in my life, but now I can see it through a different lens. I can see it as times of growth. Change is hard and sometimes that growth can be hard as well but what I do know is that I became a better person because of it. Luckily, we have a God who sees and knows this about us as well. He sees where we try to change and grow in who He knows that we can be.

What can you gain from this? Give everything that worries you to God. It’s hard, I know. I always need those reminders too. We’re human, not perfect but perfectly imperfect! God sees us, flaws and all and loves us anyway. So, the next time that you want to look back in regret and worry and/or look around in fear and anxiety…. remember to also choose to look up. God’s got this so put your trust in Him to solve it.

Heart and Mind

A heart that longs for Jesus and a mind that thinks and believes about Him…. that is the reality of a life spent pursuing God. He’s bigger than we’ve ever dreamed, yet simpler than what we want to believe. For those of you who know the story of Jesus is actually to know God, Himself.

So, what does that tell us about God? God loves us SO MUCH that He sent His Son, Jesus to live among us, teach us and then die for us. Why? He, who had NO SIN, took all of our sins, so that we could be with Him once we leave this place. What does He want in return? He just wants our hearts and our minds.

Our heart is not just an organ within our body, but we need to remember that the heart is the symbol of love and compassion and understanding that we have for things that are outside of ourselves. Our mind is not just an organ that belongs in our head, it is also something that we use to discern between good and evil, right and wrong.

When we give our hearts and our minds to God, we choose to turn away from evil and turn away from doing the things that bring hurt to others, of course, to the best of our ability. We choose to give our feelings and our thoughts to God so that we can be guided toward Him during our time here on earth and then to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

Jesus came as a child. Has anyone ever figured out why that was? Why didn’t God send a warrior on a mighty steed to destroy all of our enemies like the Jewish people thought would happen?

Personally, I don’t think that it was time, then. I think that God sent Jesus to come as a child to show all of us that He needed us just as much as we needed Him and in the most basic, elemental of ways. Think about it…. God, in Jesus form, was totally dependent on humans for His every need. I think that He wanted to see if we would rise to the occasion and have the heart and mind to see Him as MORE than what He appeared to be on the surface.

So, what did I learn from this? I give so much credit to our God who loves us that much, that He came to live among us and died for us. Would we, or could we do the same for Him? Our God is truly an awesome God! There is none like Him! He fills up my soul and I know that He will never let me down. He’s patient and kind, firm and loving. He’s the very model of what a parent should be. I’m not worthy of his love and grace. I make lots of mistakes but I sing His praise because it is ONLY through Him that I am strong and whole. He MAKES me better!

What can you gain from this? I was an empty shell before knowing and loving God like I do now. The funny thing is, I’ve always known Him but now my reliance on Him is deeper. If you want to feel some of what I feel and those who love God feel, then start by trusting in that little Baby who came down, grew to become a Man and then died just because He loves you that much. No sin is so great that cannot be overcome by the love of our God. He just wants your heart and your mind. Will you trust Him with it?

An Act of Faith

Who can know God’s purpose in our lives? When we step out in faith and trust God’s will for us, we begin to realize that we can discover so many things about Him and even about ourselves.

Never, ever, ever did I foresee where I am today. I’ve also realized how much I have grown through the journey of my career and, very simply, my faith. When I was young, I could never see the path that He was leading me on, while I was on it. It was only in looking back that I can see the connections and the layers and how each one led to the next. God’s sneaky like that. He gives us free will but asks that we trust Him to guide us on the best path for us. It’s an act of faith. It’s that Letting Go and Letting God component that I’ve talked about before.

So many times before, I thought that there was something wrong with me. I’d ask myself why I wasn’t happy where I was. However, I recognize now that God was asking me to just be patient and learn what I needed to learn while I was on that path. You see, God takes all those little gems that we pick up as we grow in our faith and in our journeys through life. He wants us to use that knowledge for later when He puts us on a different path. So, in doing that, I have begun to realize that there was nothing wrong with me. At that moment in time, I was right where God needed me to be.

Remember…..

Life is all about the choices that we make. How we respond to those choices, what we do with those choices and what we learn from those choices are the keys to finding joy in this life. Yes, God gives us free will but I would rather give mine back to God. He certainly knows what to do with it.

So, what did I learn from this? I’m so much stronger now than when I was relying just on my own knowledge and interests. I also know that I am so much stronger with God as I travel each path. I have learned to truly put my faith in God for everything. I’ve grown as a person, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and as a faithful follower of a God who has never let me down. I am better because I trust in Him to guide me in this journey. Who knows what path He has for me next but guess what? I look forward to it because I know that it’s where He wants me to be.

What can you gain from this? There is a certain freedom in turning our own will over to God. It’s so uplifting and invigorating at the same time to know that you matter so much to God. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to love Him and mostly? He wants us to trust Him in ALL aspects of our lives, not just the times that we think we should. I’m just betting that you will begin to see it the same way too!

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