Searching for Joy in Everyday Life

Today’s post is my contribution to the Christian Writers Blog Chain. Our theme for the month of April is Joy.

Searching for Joy in Everyday Life

Last year my family and I went to Florida for our summer vacation. Being a native Floridian, I know several out-of-the-way places to enjoy, places off the beaten tourists’ path.

My family and I took a day and went to one such place, a clear, cool swimming hole. As I think back on our fun, I recall how I splashed around with my kids sometimes scooping up handfuls of water to toss at them, then giving up and letting the water trickle through my fingers. As I watched the droplets fall back into their emerald abode, I found myself thinking this is reminiscent of life. Sometimes joy falls upon us like rain, other times, joy trickles upon us in small measure. But all too often, especially in this cruel world of sin and sorrow, joy seems altogether absent from life.

Life is often difficult, and we find ourselves bogged down in the mire of daily existence. But God grants daily moments of joy. He longs to remind us that even though life is difficult, He walks beside us through each day. God smiles in the flower petals that dance in the breeze and brighten our gardens, He sings in the laughter of our children, and speaks through the phone call from a long-lost friend. If only we can remember that in all things we ought to praise God, for He’s with us. He’ll never leave us or forsake us.

 

When I’m having a difficult day, I try and remember to search for those tiny droplets of joy God sends me. They are there, somewhere in everyday life.

What are some of the small joys God drops into your everyday life?

Blessings,

Stephanie Boles
Author of the Called to His Purpose series
Writing is my ministry, not my job

Bible Text:

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalm 51:12, KJV)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:12, NIV)

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5, KJV)

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Christian Writers Monthly Blog Chain List (CWBC) for April. Enjoy reading my friends’ posts.

4/1: Chris Henderson, TheWriteChris

4/1: Brian Jones, Andeluvia
4/2: Debra Ann Elliott, Words are Timeless
4/3: CH Dyer, Thoughts and Visions
4/4: Steve Olar, Snickerdoodles
4/5: Lynn Mosher, Heading Home
4/6: Bill Jones, I Was Thinking the Other Day About
4/7: Cindee Snider Re, Breathe Deeply
4/8: Terrie Thorpe, Light for the Journey
4/9: Adam Collings, The Collings Zone
4/10: Keith Wallis, wordsculptures
4/11: Victor Travison, Lightwalker's View
4/12: Pegg Thomas, The Sheepish Scribe
4/13: Nona King, Spirit Driven Fiction
4/14: Scott Fields, Dead Man Writing
4/15: Pauline Creeden, Hosanna's Christian Reader
4/16: Kristena Tunstall, Mommy’s Angel In Heaven
4/17: Mike Johnson, The College Field Manual
4/18: Carol Peterson, From Carol's Quill
4/19: Chris Vonada, I'm Just Thinkin'
4/20: Edward Lewis, Sowing the Seeds
4/21: Deborah K. Anderson, Faith, Fiction, and Unvarnished Truth
4/23: Nona King, Word Obsession
4/24: SandiGrace, Heart Gazer
4/25: SandyKC, The Everyday Christian
4/26: Tracy Krauss, Expression Express
4/27: Traci Bonney, Tracings
4/28: Jacky Brown, JayBees Blog
4/29: Stephanie Boles, 80 Acres and a Book
4/30: Joseph Lalonde, Joseph Lalonde

Six Word Saturday

Teenagers are the most AWESOME people!

I think sometimes people rag on teenagers without cause. I love teens. They’re not impolite and insolent, or discourteous. At least not the teenagers I know. Indeed not! They are filled with the excitement of just beginning their lives. If you have the good fortune of enjoying the company of a group of teens, you’ll soon realize that they keep you feeling young. You begin to see the world through their eyes, and that’s a good thing. I'm going to miss my teenagers when they grow up.

Add Six Word Saturday to your site by clicking on the Six Word Saturday button on the left side of this post, or by following this link. Six Word Saturday.

Book Review: By Faith, Not By Sight

By Faith, Not By Sight by Scott MacIntyre

ISBN-10: 0849947219

ISBN-13: 9780849947216

Length: 288 Pages

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

If you’re an American Idol fan, then you have likely witnessed Scott MacIntyre’s incredible talent. But what you may not know is the faith-inspiring story behind his amazing talent. By Faith, Not By Sight grants the reader a front row seat to the story of Mr. MacIntyre’s life, a life that proved difficult and discouraging at every turn. But Mr. MacIntyre did not give up the fight of faith. He trusted God at His word, 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Mr. MacIntyre does not just tell us how to live 2 Corinthians 5:7, "we live by faith, not by sight", he shows us through his daily life that walking by faith is more than lip service to God. Walking by faith is taking the horns of the altar in hand and plowing through life’s insurmountable odds until you dwell wholly in God’s purpose. With the help and support of his family and mentors, and in spite of his disability (blindness), Mr. MacIntyre follows God’s purpose for his life.

This book is a great read for those who face major difficulties in their life. Mr. MacIntyre’s story encourages the frightened heart to press forward in God even in the face of impossibilities. This book brings into light the realness of God’s Word to strengthen His people for the ‘Call’ regardless of mistakes made or any disability suffered.

I highly recommend this book, not just for those who face difficulties, but for anyone who loves God and longs to walk by faith, not by sight because Mr. MacIntyre’s story encourages the Christian to strive to walk by faith, even on the most difficult days.

Loved this book, so much so that I read it twice.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Make your Home Sparkle

Purge, purge, purge!

We’ve all seen those houses where folks hoard. Yipes! I’m not judging, merely stating that if we train ourselves to purge, our homes won’t pile up to the ceiling with unnecessary items. Learn to be ruthless in cleaning your home. What’s more important, a pile of junk that blocks friends and family out of the home or a well-kept home and life?

I purge my entire house in the fall and spring. Simply put, spring and fall purging is a must for the organized home. Before beginning your purge choose a place to set up a purging station. You’ll need to sort those items into piles or containers of give away, sell, and throw away. Honestly my purging station usually ends up in the hallway or the foyer. This works for me as I take a full week or even two weeks to work through my purge, so I have time to work through one or two rooms daily and clean up the mess in the hall or foyer at the end of the day.

For my whole house purge, I begin in the bedrooms and work my way to the living areas, cleaning out every cabinet, drawer, closet, well everything! Then I toss out items, or bag them for give away or sell. I deep clean each room as I complete the purge. By the end of the week my house sparkles! Now, if I could only figure a way to keep that sparkle. Le sigh. . .

Happy organizing

Rolled Away

Happy Easter!

I’m so thankful to know Jesus Christ, to have a relationship with Him. As I recalled the sufferings and death of Christ this week, I reminded myself that Jesus willingly bore the cruelties of the cross of Calvary, He willingly chose death for the repentance and remission of our sins. Why did He do this when He held the power to call down twelve legions of angels to stop the hand of those who harmed Him?  BECAUSE HE LOVES US.

And so, with that thought in mind, I say thank you, Lord for the great sacrifice you made not only for me but for the world.

Easter Sunday is the day Christians cry in one resounding voice, “Thank you, Lord for the sacrifice you made for us.”

I’m thankful that, just like that stone that covered the tomb of Christ rolled away; my sins too, have rolled away. . .

Scroll down and enjoy an embedded video of the song, He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels.

Easter blessings,

Stephanie Boles
Author of the Called to His Purpose Series
Writing is my ministry, not my job

Bible Text:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

(Romans 3:23, KJV)

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
(John 3:16-17, KJV)

¹Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

²And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
³And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
⁴And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
⁵And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
⁶He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
⁷Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
(Luke 24:1-7, KJV)

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

(Matthew 26:53, KJV)

A Song: He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels

The Lyrics

He Could Have Called Ten Thousand AngelsWords and Music by Ray Overholt

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed;
They led Him thro' the streets in shame.
They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin;
They said, "Crucify Him; He's to blame."

Refrain
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.

Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns;
They laughed and said, "Behold the King!"
They struck Him and they cursed Him
and mocked His holy name
All alone He suffered everything.

(Refrain)

When they nailed Him to the cross,
His mother stood nearby,
He said, "Woman, behold thy son!"
He cried, "I thirst for water," but they gave Him none to drink.
Then the sinful work of man was done.

(Refrain)

To the howling mob He yielded;
He did not for mercy cry.
The cross of shame He took alone.
And when He cried, "It's finished,"
He gave Himself to die;
Salvation's wondrous plan was done.

(Refrain)

Six Word Saturday

I really need a carpentry crew!

Trying to remodel a house with only two people plus one teenage boy wears on my one nerve! I'm not getting the work done. I’m still trying to find time to get down to the farmhouse and complete the walls and cabinet rebuild and tiling in the kitchen. So that’s why I wish I had a carpentry crew at my disposal. Frustration abounds.

Le sigh. . .

Add Six Word Saturday to your site by clicking the button on the left side of this blog or by following this link. Six WordSaturday.

Cleaning Tips: Pets

Skunked Dog

Recently my dog chased a skunk, annoyed it, and got sprayed. Whew! That dog stank. This recipe worked fairly well at removing the odor.

Ingredients

1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide

¼ cup baking soda
1 teaspoon mild dishwashing liquid

Mix all ingredients and rub the mixture through dog’s fur. Do not get it in the eyes or ears. After the mixture is rubbed into the dog’s fur, rinse it out.

What do you use to rid your pet of skunk odor?