Thankfulness and celebration

It's funny how often the concept of joy comes to my mind these days.  It could be partly because I started this blog so now the whole world knows...so I can't just forget about it.  :)  Which is partly why I started it.

So here are a few random thoughts from this week...I stopped and looked at a glass of my wonderfully yummy, refreshing, supposedly good-for-me homemade kombucha tea that I drink practically all the time.  I'm so thankful for it!  Simple thing, but one morning I realized it actually does bring me a measure of joy and I need to express my thankfulness for it, even if just in my heart.

And how about hot showers?  And ice?  And indoor bathrooms?  Something many of my overseas friends could hardly dream of.  Why be grumpy when we're surrounded by so many blessings?

Deut. 16:14 - 'Be joyful at your festival." (God speaking to Israel about the Feast of Tabernacles.) Yeah...celebrate and be joyful!  Often!  

And it begins...

After my recent 4^th or 5^th reading of the book ‘The Life You’ve Always Wanted’ by John Ortberg, which is an extremely readable book about spiritual disciplines, I got stuck on the chapter about joy.  And I realized that my life doesn’t seem to radiate joy.  At least not as a habit.  Not that I’m always down-in-the-mouth.  Often I’m just on auto-pilot…neither happy nor sad…just there. 

Yes, it’s easy to be happy and joyful when the sun’s shining, I’m sitting by the lake with a good book (or playing with grandkids), it’s about 79.5 degrees outside and I have nothing else I have to be doing.  Yes, those times are easy. 

It’s not easy when I have a headache, too much to do, too little to do, it’s too hot or too cold, no good book to read, no one fun to hang out with or someone needs me to do something I’d really rather not do.

I have no huge issues in my life that should rob me of joy.  No terminal illness, no personal threat to my well-being, no impending war.  Maybe it’s just a habit.  Not as bad as Eeyore, but his name comes to mind.  So why not choose joy instead?

And why not make this year my personal journey of joy!  To ask God to help me experience joy in simple obedience to Him.  (Knowing His commands are only always for our good!) To not fret away the minutes and hours complaining, fussing, or just zoning out.  I want to focus on the many verses in the Bible that talk about joy.  I want to consciously think about joy and the reasons I have for joy every day.  I want to make it a new habit.

And I’m asking anyone interested to come along with me.  Be challenged, be encouraged, be rejuvenated, be reminded of why we CAN be joyful.  And challenge me, encourage me, rejuvenate me, and remind me why I can and should be joyful. 

‘This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Psalm 118:24).