After church yesterday I called Michaels to ask about my clip on sunglasses. No, they didn't have anything. I called Home Depot - and they had them! So I asked hubby if he wanted to go with me to pick them up and we can pick up lunch while we were out. He was agreeable to it. Home Depot did have my sunglasses.... but someone or something had stepped/rolled over the one clip - and turned it sideways. The glass part is fine, but the other will not clip on to my glasses. Which now involves a trip to the vision place to see if they can turn that metal and get it to fit again. If not, I will attempt it on my own (well, I did try, but it wouldn't budge and I didn't want to force it and break it) or I will see how much it costs to order another clip on. Luckily it isn't prescription; they are just sun clips.
Normally we would be having a class tonight, but we gave them this week to get their first week's lesson completed since they didn't get their books until Wednesday night. I did today's lesson this morning; I definitely need to keep caught up on it. I have high hopes of 'learning' all over again how to have joy in my walk with Jesus. In all honesty, I've allowed the stresses of the world, my disappointments in my personal life, my struggles, my battles - all of these things to block out my joy.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV): -------The joy of the Lord is your strength.
And He truly is. There is the song that is nothing but the words 'The Joy of the Lord is my strength, the Joy of the Lord is my strength, the Joy of the Lord is my strength, The Joy of the Lord is my strength."
And I have sung it many times. I'm sure I have shared this before.... but when I worked for this one company, I had this one director - I don't know what her problem was even today - but she would yell at me and say things to me that were hateful.... our restroom was down the hall, so when she finished her spiel at me, I would walk down the hall and back - back and forth a few times - and I would be singing softly each way - 'The joy of the Lord is my strength." When I had calmed down and felt His joy, I would return to my desk and continue working. I truly believe that God took this song and made it mine, for I have sung it to myself many times in my darkest days. (This director eventually asked me to pray for her when she, at 42, found out she was pregnant).
Me? Dark days? Oh yes, I get those as well. Usually because I get overwhelmed and allow others to treat me badly. When I don't feel like I have any way out. When I struggle. When I'm in pain. When I ... well, just about for any reason, that is my mantra. Jesus is my Joy and He is my Strength. Always has been, always will be.
What is going on in your life right now that you could use some joy? Is it that you are struggling with finances? Is it you and your spouse having words with each other? Is it your child(ren) are out of control and you don't know what to do with them? (No, hanging them up to dry is not an option, although entertaining) What about that job that you have to deal with day in and day out five days a week? Some days - if you are like me - you would really like to walk away. But you can't. You are bound to your job and no matter what it is - whether housekeeping, baby sitting, working in an office, working remote, doing anything - some days it just sucks the joy out of you. And yet, when you can do it, you can also feel joy.
For example, I like my job. I love my (one) boss, I like the others. I do what I have to do - many times begrudgingly. I don't like to be forced to learn new things without explanation. I don't like getting dumped on. But I am paid very well for what I do - and I get to sit at home to do it. No one monitors my time. No one tracks me. I'm salaried, so I don't have to punch a timeclock. (which reminds me, it's timecard Monday - that will take me ten minutes - maybe) I can take time off as needed. I have PTO built up and can take vacation days. It's a great job. So why do I entertain thoughts of leaving it? Because I have so many other things I'd like to do. Such as getting back to my sewing. Doing more crochet or knitting. Doing more baking. Volunteering at church; hospitals; nursing homes. I.want.to.live.life.to.the.fullest.
Just erased a large paragraph.... you know, some of those things that don't need to be said out in the open. I should probably erase a lot more.
Hubby asked me the other day what did I want to do for our anniversary this year. He usually saves up the money and finds us an airbnb for 4-5 days up north and we go there. But I have already thought about it - and I don't want to go anywhere. So when he asked, I told him. He complained some, for the place we had last year up at Bison Ranch was so nice. BUT... we were at least 30 minutes away from any grocery store or anything else. It was quiet. We had a nice brook running through the property. Hummingbirds were all over the place. Hated the dim lighting inside the cabin, but other than that - it was all good. But I want to stay home. The thought that entertained my mind last week before he even asked - was that I wanted to stay home and pretend I was retired for a week. What would that look like. Probably just like a weekend at home. At least here at home everything is here. We can go out to nearby restaurants if we want to. I can cook (I have to cook all the meals when we are isolated as we were last year) the meals. I think he is going to go along with my request to just stay home. We'd save money for sure. And, getting older, we need to save a bit more. Unexpected expenses happen, and life as we get older is getting more and more expensive.
And I sing a lot more frequently, "The joy of the Lord is my strength". Maybe you should try it as well. If you don't know the tune... make it your own. The words are simple.
And when you sing it, believe it. He is truly your strength. No matter what the circumstances.
Blessings!
