I Choose Joy – Five Minute Friday

by MomLaur83 on September 16, 2011

This week’s Five Minute Friday couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

I have just started reading “1,000 Gifts” by Anne Voskamp. I’ve heard it’s life-changing. I’m only a chapter or two in, and already, my heart is changing.

What is joy? The dictionary definition is “a feeling of great pleasure or happiness”. But I truly believe that joy is so much more than that.

Joy is reading God’s word and remembering the sacrifice Christ made for ME, in my foolish sinfulness, to live again.

Joy is watching the sun rise and praising the Lord for another new day.

Joy is reading to my children, doing our lessons each day, thankful for the opportunity to be at home with them. Even in the moments when things seem to be going all wrong.

Joy is persevering through the trials, knowing that God is faithful and will always be on your side.

Joy is in the love of a husband who works hard every day and comes home (or comes downstairs some days when he’s working from home!) with a hug and a kiss for his wife and kids.

Joy is being thankful. Joy is showing love. Joy is persevering. Joy is an attitude that should penetrate every waking moment of every day – even if you don’t FEEL it, you can have and experience joy.

Because there is One who has called you by name, saved you, sustains you, will never leave you.

No matter what messes, disasters, attitudes, hard times, fun times, quiet or loud moments this day may hold – I choose joy.

 

Tagged as: attitudes, Five Minute Friday

  • http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/ Jenny@ADropintheBucket

    Very true post, love that you say you choose joy.  Because sometimes it is definitely a choice.  

  • Anonymous

    Her book is amazing!!  I read it in bits to savor – and yes, looking at the joy and miracles in the *small* things has been so wonderful!

  • http://www.darbyjane.blogspot.com Darla

    I read this book in  May/June I think in prep for a book club. I really enjoyed it, although there were some flaws. Like anything, take the good, leave the bad. I was definitely encouraged and on the whole, I liked it. Her “flowy” poetry style had me skip reading in parts – I GET THIS, lets move on. Lol. Personal style. Although these are not my thoughts (nor are mine identical to this), my pastor wrote a review on this book here. http://www.davidrieke.com/search/label/Book%20Reviews

    Attending the book club. WOW. Let me tell you. SOOOO polarizing. Although no one doubted there was good in there, some felt it a complete waste of time, in light of the bad. Like, that the bad made the good not worth it. I didn’t see it that way personally or take it to that extreme. However, I was surprised that so many lovely ladies hated it and took issue with so many things (which they are not wrong about, according to the Bible). BUT I take it in the light that she is not a theology teacher, she is sharing her story of healing and how she got there. I tend not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, while also still having keen eyes to recognize untruth when I see it.

    I am being vague as I don’t want to ruin it all for you! Read, enjoy, see what you think. There are definitely points of “interest”, of which I would consider at least partially contrary to the Word of God, however, there is also so much that is dead on.

    • Anonymous

      Only a couple chapters in and I can see your point. I am thankful for a husband and church who encourages and teaches me to test everything, so I can filter out…will keep my eyes open, thanks for the review and info!

  • http://twitter.com/dailydwelling dailydwelling

    Yes, joy is everyone of those things!! I love that you point out that you can have and experience joy even if you don’t “feel” it. We can be do deceived by our emotions and feelings.

  • http://www.upliftingwordsonline.com Stefanie Brown

    Oh, Lauren, you’ll love 1000 Gifts!  It’s changed how I look at each and every day.
    I love your joy list!  I especially love your last line ~ “No matter what messes, disasters, attitudes, hard times, fun times, quiet or loud moments this day may hold – I choose joy.”
    So do I…

    • Anonymous

      Thanks Stef! And wouldn’t you know, I was tested on every one of those angles today…I drowned for a bit, but then I remembered to choose joy. 

  • http://www.heartprintsofgod.com/ Stacy

    “Joy is an attitude that should penetrate every waking moment of every day – even if you don’t FEEL it, you can have and experience joy.”   So often we look for things and circumstances in our life to bring us joy, instead of realizing we can make a  choice to bring joy into every moment of every day.
    Beautiful words.
    Thank you for the blessing0
    ~Stacy

    • Anonymous

      That’s beautiful Stacy, thanks for quoting that! Thank you for blessing me :0)

  • http://boastinginmyweakness.com/ Katie

    Wonderful post!!  LOVED it!  Thanks for all of the great reminders!  Visiting you back from the HHH!  Thanks for stopping by the other day!

  • http://lisaphelps.org Lisa

    I love this, “Joy is an attitude that should penetrate every waking moment of every
    day – even if you don’t FEEL it, you can have and experience joy.”  I agree with you, joy is so much more than a feeling of happiness.  I choose joy today too.  Many blessings!

  • Matt and Jace Daily

    I’m working my way through 1000 Gifts as well and just read a passage about Joy (pg. 57). I love that we have the choice.

Previous post:

Next post: