Category: Joy

2020 Year of JOY

2020 included many reasons to be discouraged. Pandemic isolation, advanced lung disease, lengthy hospitalization, 55th anniversary plans changed, birthday and wedding plans cancelled, death of friend, and miscarriage.

However,  the word “Joy” kept showing up in devotionals, scripture, and teachings. Great joy, joy unspeakable, reckless joy, the joy of the Lord is my strength, intimate joy, surprised by joy, and Secret joy.

God prepared my journey of joy in late 2019 at a Women of Joy Conference. Nervous about leaving my husband by himself, I ventured out with ladies from my church. We had a great weekend of teaching, worship and yes, JOY!

Friday, the worship songs were too contemporary for this 70+ gal. But on Saturday night Michael W. Smith led worship and all the songs were familiar and favorites. I was able to release the heavy concern for my husband and the “what ifs” of the future and worship. The reckless love of God overwhelmed me and allowed God to flood my soul.

My journal records – “Thank you Lord for showering me with that overwhelming, never ending reckless love of God, I didn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, yet you gave yourself to me. Thank you for touching my inmost being with your spirit. And thank you for taking care of John while I was gone.” (Even though when I returned, he had not been able to get TV remote to work most of weekend and too embarrassed to call anyone for help.)

Christmas brought a gift from our granddaughter and her husband for a family photo shoot. Pure joy. Next day golf with son and grandson added to my joy.

Then on January 1, 2020, changed the calendar cube and noticed the scripture on the bottom.

 Psalm 126:3  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Opening my prayer journal to favorite verses noticed that most contained the word joy. Most favorite –

3 John 1:1-4 
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Then these two entries:

12/21/19 – Father God being in your presence is my joy.  There is nothing like knowing you and the peace you give.  My desire is for our sons and grandchildren to know that joy and peace.

1/7/20 – It is a joy to Jesus when we are intimate with him – never lonely, never need sympathy – never leave impressions of ourselves but only that Jesus is having his way with us. Hallelujah! That is joy.

Photos from 2020 show much joy experienced even though most of our plans failed. 

So, my friends, (as my husband would say when he preached) you can experience the joy of the Lord even in the presence of challenging times. He is our joy.

Jude 24-25

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great JOY into his glorious presence without a single fault.  All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!

Shared Blessings

Hebrews 13:1 The Message – Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! 

I’m sure there have been a few angels at our table over the years. 

Hopefully, my children and grandchildren will remember times around our dinner table.  God blessed us with ten years sharing meals with four generations after John’s parents moved near us.

Shared Blessings is a collection of recipes and memories dedicated to family and friends who shared their lives and cooking skills with me.  My family appreciates you and I do too!

Every time I make carrot salad, I think of a friend in Michigan who loved my version of carrot salad with pineapple, chunks of celery and my secret ingredient – whipped cream. 

Pinto beans and corn bread – my mother – who made cornbread in iron skillet, heated oil in skillet and then poured into cornmeal batter.  Made it so crispy.

Zucchini muffins – lady at Blairsville Nazarene Church who gave me her recipe for Zucchini bread – but she made it as muffins.  So crunchy on top but moist inside.

Chicken casserole – Hollis Raab in Shelby, NC –  what a treat to stay in her house on trips from Greensboro to Shelby on weekends (my husband’s first church) – lovely flower garden and beautiful home – she put down sheet under our one year old’s high chair to catch crumbs.  Her recipe for chicken casserole conjures up these memories. 

Most of the recipes in this book (as noted on recipe) came from friends and family.  Some no doubt came from magazines, cookbooks or maybe newspapers.  I’ve tried to give credit to those I remember, but if you recognize your recipe – please don’t be upset with me.  Just know  – someone, somewhere, sometime is enjoying your culinary delight.

May you be blessed as you share meals with those you love!

Matthew 6:31.33 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Blessings of J O Y!

Ventured out today to inspect the blueberry crop.  A few days ago, they were full of blooms.

Several nights of cold temps in 30’s and some frost – but always sun came up and warmed up early.  So surely, they made it????

Blueberries before frost

Sad to report just few blossoms survived.  If these make it through tonight’s 30’s, we will have a few blueberries to pick in June.

Blueberries after frost

This verse and song came to my mind:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

Yes, the joy of the Lord is my strength.  God keeps reminding me – JOY.

Bible study this am via Zoom with our BSB (Bible Study Buddies) gals, studying Philippians – theme JOY.  Many shared about how they have found joy in life during our current situation of sheltering in place.  Here are some –

  • Laughter
  • Appreciating nature
  • Praise music
  • Making a thankful list

So, I’m thankful:

  1. that my tulips are mostly standing and more to come hopefully. 
  2. Sunshine and trees budding
  3. Few blueberry blossoms survived
  4. Got to visit with BSB gals today
  5. Warm house in this cold weather
  6. Internet to keep in touch with family and friends
  7. Neighbors being considerate in shopping for us
  8. Amazon!!!
  9. House decluttering

That’s good for now – how about you make your thankful list and don’t forget to stay in touch with those who don’t have anyone in their shelter place.  One of our BSB’s shared today about a lady from church calling her to check on her and other friend delivering groceries.  What a blessing!

Along with Habakkuk scripture the song also comes to mind!  You knew I’d have a song!  So here is 70’s scripture song that comes to my mind. 

Then found this where Don Moen reads the scripture but different song – but so good.

I will sing by Don Moen