Choose Joy

There are so many things I "could" write about.

So.... many.... things.

But I will choose to write what has been ringing in my ears the past few days.

Joy.

We wait for it to come.

We long for it's presence.

But so often it eludes us.

It seems to come just close enough to lay a hold of ..... and then just suddenly disappears like a vapor mist.

Slipping through our fingers leaving us wondering where it went and longing for it's return.

Why is this?

Why do we pursue it? Why don't we just choose it?

To have it? To allow it to settle in?

To makes itself at home?

To see it for what it really is and not what we hope it to be?

We are surrounded during this time of the year with so many things joyful.

Christmas lights on houses. Music and bells tinkling and ringing almost everywhere you go.

Laughter and anticipation.

We can choose to focus on what we don't have rather than on what we do.

I do not want to minimize anyones sense of loss during this season.

We ourselves will have an empty seat on the couch during Christmas morning present opening time.

We will be missing our daughters infectious giggles and laughter that usually follows an antidote from her baby sister.

We will be missing a vital piece of our home.

But we will still have what is here.

We will still be surrounded by people who love us and care about us.

We will still have a roof over our heads and food on our table.

We will have the glow of the Christmas lights and the opportunities to bless someone else and see their faces light up at the feelings that they are loved and thought of.

We will have all of that.... and more.

If we want it.

Our daughter will have the care of people who have chosen to bring her into their home and offer her their love and covering.

She will have the opportunity to see how the other side of the world does Christmas.

She will have gifts from home lovingly chosen and thought out for her to open on Christmas morning.

And she will have our hearts.

Melded with hers from miles away..... and distant skies.

We still have each other.

It is just different this year.

We can focus on what isn't and miss what is.

We are lucky.

Blessed.

To still have our daughter even though she is miles and miles away.

I know that others are not so fortunate.

I know that life is often hardest during this time of year.

My prayer is that God will fill those places with new things.

Not to replace..... but cover.

Like a warm blanket of comfort.

That you will know that your heavenly Father knows about loss.... but He also knows about gain.

I pray that you won't miss those right in front of you.

And that in focusing in and honing in on those things that you have been given for the now will bring the comfort and peace that you are so desperately needing and longing for.

I pray that the joy will come.

In the sweet smile of a child.

In the thoughtful gift from a friend.

In the knowing that you are cared for and loved by not only those that you know, but by the One who knows you best.

And I pray more than anything else that you will let God show you....

That you will unwrap and open the gifts He has lovingly chosen just for you.

All the things that He has given you right here and right now to be joyful about.

And that you will feel that love pouring out and over you.... soothing and comforting.

Longing to hold you and whisper that He knows your heart.... and He cares.

I pray that you will feel joy this season.

And I pray that it will bubble up and out onto all those that surround you......

God bless you this season......

Christmas.

Celebrating the most joyful gift to all mankind.

The One who came... and Who chose to live among us just so that we might know the true meaning of what joy is.

Merry Christmas.

..... until another tomorrow.

~m.

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."

Psalm 5:11

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

"The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." Psalm 19:8