We are each designed for a unique and divine purpose. Live yours!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Choose joy!

Today I choose joy!

Actually, last night before I went to bed I had decided I would choose joy today.

A dear friend prepared our Christmas meal and invited us to her house - all of us! No clean up for us! We kicked back and relaxed for 4 straight days. No tradition this year -- everything was different. It was odd not to do what we "always do" at Christmas-not a single tradition in place this year!

In the days ahead I'll be sharing the lessons God is teaching me about and through all this -- He's been on overtime with me lately:-) But today, I choose joy!

Christmas is "over", my daughter and son-in-law have returned home and I return to work this morning after 4 wonderful, restful days off. My son and husband return to their respective jobs today as well.

I ate everything in sight and gained back 5 of the 40 lbs. I worked so hard to lose over the past 6 months. Snow has melted and the earth looks brown and is saturated through and through with water. No sunshine today, at least not yet.

Today I choose joy! I'm going to breathe in joy and exhale joy! I am God's beloved and my heart is at peace. This is the last Monday of 2009! Actually, it's the last Monday of the current decade! That reminds me I have a new decade in which to live and learn and grow and experience joy!

Yes, it is a choice! Life is hard. sometimes it's even excruciating and almost unbearable. Sometimes it looks bleak on the horizon ahead. But we must choose joy!

My prayer is that today, you will choose joy!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4 NIV)

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

4 comments:

Andrea said...

AMEN! I choose joy with you! GOD is unfolding a new season in both our lives. I am thankful HE has led us on this journey, together! I praise HIM for what HE has already done and what HE will continue to do in the future. Most certainly, HE has prepared the way before us!
Praising GOD with you,
andrea

Nana Jul said...

I will choose joy today too! It is our Strength! It is the aroma of Christ we spread to those around us!
May joy abound today!!
Amen.
Shine thru us Jesus!
Love,
Julie

Cathy said...

Amen! Let us choose joy, His joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Parsley said...

Love this post. Happiness is a choice sometimes. I choose joy/happiness knowing God's in control and loves me.