I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken,
for He is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the JOY of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Psalms 16:8-11
Over the past week I've been thinking of my "word" for 2013. I know I'm a little late to the party here as today is Jan. 6, but I wanted my word to be genuine. To mean something. I didn't want to just pick a random word; I wanted to pray and mull over it. One word just seemed right. Fitting. Obvious.
JOY
Joy in being a wife to the most wonderful man. Joy in working at a job I love that makes a difference. Joy in serving others. Joy in giving. Joy in friendships, new and old. Joy when my house is a mess and I'm feeling overwhelmed. Joy in pain and suffering. Joy in waiting to see my little man's face and aching to hold him in my arms. Joy in continuing to trust His plan. Joy in praising Him because of who He is.
When I read the above verse, I just knew. I want joy to be a blanket over my life in 2013. I want it to permeate every day and detail, spilling over and uncontainable. That kind of joy comes from the Father, the One who makes my heart glad. He is the one who gives me joy.
This is something I've been learning throughout 2012, and in 2013 I just want it to be more intentional. The great thing about joy is that it isn't dependent on my circumstances. I can still be joyful when things aren't going well. In fact, because of pain and suffering, I am drawn closer into His presence, and it is there that I find the greatest joy.
So here's to the road ahead
2013
2013
to JOY
I sure do like you. :)
ReplyDelete:) the feeling is mutual! Will you by chance be at Created4Care in Jan?!
DeleteHi! I found you via my friend Wynne Elder's bog. We are currently on the waiting list to adopt a boy and a girl from Uganda as well! Figured I should pop over and introduce myself. Glad I found you!
ReplyDeleteLiz
http://www.larkandbloom.wordpress.com
So glad you said hello! Love knowing other people adopting from Uganda! I hopped over to your blog and was touched by your most recent post. We've been waiting almost 4 years now for babies; little over 1 year in our adoption process. Waiting is so hard, but I have been really encouraged by a song by Elevation Worship - Nothing is Wasted. It says, "nothing is wasted, You work all things for good, nothing is wasted, Your promise remains, forever you reign." So thankful none of our pain is ever wasted in God's hands!
Delete