Prescription for Joy

Worry Wart.

OCD.

Control Freak.

Short-Fused.

Frazzled and Frustrated.

Defeated.

All of these things have described me at one point or another in my life. Up until a few months ago, I would say that you could have probably used them ALL AT ONCE! 

BUT… God, in his divine provision, has allowed a precious little book to fall into my hands… and I think I have finally found some medicine to cure what ails me.

As a full-time mother of three, part-time middle school teacher, wife to a bi-vocational Executive Pastor, and self-proclaimed people-pleaser, it’s easy to get bogged down.  But as Sally Clarkson reveals in Dancing with My Father, Jesus understands.

“Often, when I have very little margin in my life, I notice that I become less patient, more self-centered and demanding.  Although Jesus always had people following him and making demands of him, he still made time for prayer with his Father and time to develop close relationships with his disciples. Watching the simplicity of Jesus’ life has taught me little by little to do what I can for this moment and complete what I can for this day, then go to bed and sleep restfully, not borrowing trouble for the next day for all the things I haven’t completed. I adjust my expectations to the realities of my life. I seek not to lose or abuse opportunities to love and enjoy those who are precious to me.”

She goes on to say how this has become a discipline in her life.  How she has resolved to CHOOSE JOY no matter the circumstance. How she literally “takes every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) and “lays aside every encumbrance… for the JOY set before” (Hebrews 12:1, Hebrews 12:2).

POWERFUL advice.

I think I’ll take it!!

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory”.   -  1 Peter 1:8