Tag: joy

Short and Simple

Today is the day the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Actually, the verse states it this way: This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I made it singular.

I’ve been awake since 1 something and out of bed since 3:00. I don’t know why I couldn’t sleep. Tim couldn’t either.

Now, not even three hours later, Tim is already at the office and I’m searching for words.

Mostly, the ones that are coming are questions. Why…? How am I going to…? What does this…?

I know He is listening. But telling me to wait. Or am I not listening.

Regardless, today – (all 94.5 hours of it) – I will (on purpose and continuously) – rejoice (be thankful and find delight) – be glad (keep a good attitude and smile.)

How is your morning?

Love or Self-Preservation

How many times do you extend yourself to others who either don’t respond at all or don’t respond in a positive way?

You may remember that our family is fractured. (See post “The Day After” from November 2023.) This is always magnified by the holidays.

I spoke with my pastor’s wife. She has family hardships too. What?!?! Pastor’s families aren’t picture perfect? That may surprise some but, as a pastor’s kid, I can tell you they aren’t. Everyone has issues – whether they are apparent or not.

But God is sovereign.

We often extend invitations. However, many times we either get zero response or a definitive NO. How many times do we keep reaching out?

How many times do we keep being hopeful only to end up disappointed?

We are called to be like Jesus. We are to compare ourselves to Him alone.

He kept asking, kept loving, kept forgiving. And He knew their hearts!

I want to know the highs and lows and everything in between in my families lives. I want to live life with them and not on separate islands. I want them to know Jesus and to have a relationship with Him. I want them to know how much they are loved.

So, we continue to reach out, to invite, to ask questions. As a wise woman once told me, “We can give (people) love. We just cannot dictate how they receive it.”

By the way, we did get two yes responses this year! We are hopeful for more.