I love when my niece comes for a visit!
My son retires in August. I know the feeling! LOL
Bible in a Year: Job 12; Acts 7:2243
The fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy. Galatians 5:22
One of our sons, Brian, is a high school basketball coach. One year, as his team was dribbling its way through the Washington State Basketball Tournament, well-meaning folks around town asked, Are you going to win it all this year? Both players and coaches felt the pressure, so Brian adopted a motto: Play with joy!
I thought of the apostle Pauls last words to the elders of Ephesus: That I may finish my race with joy (Acts 20:24 nkjv). His aim was to complete the tasks Jesus had given him. I have made these words my motto and my prayer: May I run and finish my race with joy. Or as Brian says, May I play with joy! And by the way, Brians team did win the state championship that year.
We all have good reasons to get grouchy: discouraging news, everyday stresses, health problems. Nevertheless, God can give us a joy that transcends these conditions if we ask Him. We can have what Jesus called, my joy (John 15:11).
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit of Jesus (Galatians 5:22). So we must remember each morning to ask Him to help us: May I play with joy! Author Richard Foster said, To pray is to change. This is a great grace. How good of God to provide a path whereby our lives can be taken over by . . . joy.
What causes you to be discouraged? Where do you find your joy?
I turn my eyes to You, God. Im grateful I can count on Your faithfulness to me. Please bring me into Your joy.
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Auntie likes that I can drive her to her favorite stores. She only drives to a few low traffic areas on her own. Its so good to spend a few days with her.
We went to the many thrift stores in her town. Found a few treasures.
Have a good Monday!