Joyful Heart

Where has the time gone?  It seems like school started (with it youth group, driver's ed, volleyball, etc.) and time to write went out the window.  But today, thankfully, there is time again.  What is plaguing me today?  As may be obvious by the title, NOTHING!  For the past several days, I have been walking around with happiness and joy in my heart.  If you knew me, you would know that this is not the normal state of my being.  I'm not a negative person, but I am a realistic and practical one.  True joy is not usually a continual feeling for me.

But, for the past few days, I have felt nothing but the fullness of joy in my heart.  I'm happy.  Work is going well, almost too well for someone who hopes (at some point) to do something else for a living.  Relationships at home are stable, warm, loving, and have their share of laughter--this is true for mine with the hubs as well as for mine with my kids.

I had been having daily devotions in the morning and have recently been unable to do so.  The guilt of this and the loss of that contact God's word weighed on me.  I had been learning, growing, praying, and it was gone.  In response to those negative, self-centered feelings, what did God give me?  A heart full of gratitude for all of the blessings He's given me.  I have moments where I am nearly overwhelmed with thanksgiving for these blessings as my heart swells with joy.

I can only give credit to God for this.  I haven't gotten a new job; I haven't gotten a raise.  The hubs makes less money than he did a year ago.  The expenses associated with raising a 16 and a 12 year old increase by the day.  A window in our house was broken and needs to be replaced.  Bills mount, and it sometimes feels like we'll never be out of debt.  But, with all that sounds negative, I still have joy.

I love my hubs and my kids.  I have wonderful parents and the best sister anyone could have.  My in-laws are great people, and my sis-in-law is really just my sis.  I have food, heat, a home, a job, a family, love, a church, and my God.  What else could I need?

Celebrating Thanksgiving later this month is certain to be a blessed time for me, and I look forward to it more this year than ever before.  Count your blessings this holiday season and have a joyful heart!