Be Filled With JOY

 I love this sign that I made so much that I ordered it on-line, picked it up from Target's Photo Center in one hour and only paid $2.39. Not bad, eh?!

I put it in a frame on the shelf behind my couch because that's where I have spent many days of late. 
It challenges me to find joy in a place where I ordinarily (lately) would be feeling sorry for myself. 

It's a challenge that I am up for taking, because the Bible says

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!"
Phil. 4:4 NLT

And I want to be full of JOY always.  Even when I feel like this:

Even when these two items below (along with my IV and my heart monitor) have become close friends.

Even when I have to wear this for 3 weeks and it makes me itch and beeps all the time like crazy.

Hmmm...Joy.

It isn't always easy to have. 

Does it mean I have to be happy with my circumstances?

NO.

It simply means that I am to be full of the Lord's JOY. 

Full of joy over what He has done for me, how much He loves me, what eternity holds for me, and what He gives me each and everyday--the things and the people in my life that I absolutely adore.

So on to finding the Lord's joy...
when I am stuck on the couch in unbearable muscle pain,
only able to get up and walk around and sit back down much like a 90 year old would,
and generally feeling like this:



I'll start from the view from here (the couch)--what's right infront of me:

It make me smile...not for any particular reason. Perhaps I love that the globe lights up and puts off a beautiful glow to that part of the house--or maybe it's the first picture I ever took of Gavin and Chelsea together when Gavin was just days old....oh, and the seashells that fill the little glass jars that hang from the wall--seashells that remind me of our lovely vacations to San Elijo State Beach because that's where we got them.......I love the view.

Then I look right--it's hard not to feel joyful when I'm looking at this face: 

Or these two faces below--Gavin's facial expression is a riot.

And I will have you know that while I am stuck on the couch, they serve me, take care of me, and play together--happily--without complaint.  Such a HUGE reason to have joy.

The genuinely LOVE each other...not many siblings are as in love with each other as these two...more joy.

To do schoolwork, Chelsea brought her math to the couch instead of expecting me to come to the table (I didn't even ask).  JOY

Love watching her and snapping unposed pictures of her while she reads....JOY

 I LOVE how beautiful she is, inside and out...JOY

And this little guy...with the million faces....who has more compassion and empathy than any 6 year old male heart I have ever seen.

You got it.....JOY.

I am happy to say I am filled with it even now when I feel OLD. : )


Linking up with Rachel.

One Thousand Gift List:

#181. The "Be Filled With Joy" sign that sits in the place I lay when I am sick...that it reminds me to be filled with YOUR JOY

#182. The view from my couch

#183. The looks on my children's faces when they are having fun

#184. That their silliness can make me laugh even when I feel horrible

#185. That when I am sick on the couch, my children are happy to help, care for, and entertain me : )

#186. Gavin and Chelsea genuinely love each other

#187. My daughter's motivation to complete school and that she always wants to be next to me

#188. Snapshots of Chelsea's face when she doesn't know I am looking

#189. Her natural beauty, inside and out

#190. My little guy who has more compassion and empathy that any other little boy I have ever seen

#191.  That all these things fill me with joy even when I feel OLD. ; )