Joy in My Life

Since I resigned from the school system, God has done a lot of work in my life.  One of my most recent experiences, I want to share with you first :)

Back in September of 2016, I needed a lot of help from God.  He, of course, never let me down.  I realized I had a few changes that I could make on my end...so I did.

Here's what I started that has helped me like nothing else could.

I began getting up earlier in the mornings. Now, if you really know me, that was hard for me! I am a night owl, but getting up early just isn't my thing!  I wish I could say I would make my cup of coffee, but eh, I could take it or leave it.  (If I do take it, it's with lots of chocolate syrup (yep, lots) and hazelnut creamer.)  But the real reason I started getting up in the mornings earlier was to start my day with God - to give Him the first part of my day.  I felt that He was asking me to do this.  

I began with my Bible & reading the book "Fervent" by Priscilla Shirer.  I'll blog on that book (& the others) another day, but it's what really started off my journey of spending time with Jesus each and every morning before the busyness of the day set in.  

Now, 7 months later, I can say that simply my JOY has returned and that my JOY doesn't depend on my circumstances.  I now find myself feeling joyful at the thought of spending time with my family and friends and at church as well as doing nothing at all but sitting home with  my husband.  My joy isn't dependent on what my bank account has in it, what fun things are coming up in my life...it doesn't depend on what others think about me... I have learned from just starting this time with God in the mornings, that my joy is there regardless of my circumstances and what's going on in my life.

God never moves - if we feel we are not as close to Him as we used to be - it's certainly not because of Him.  It's simply us - and satan getting his way.  The good news though, God always welcomes us back into his arms if we are a believer.