This morning at 5:30 A.M. I lay in my bed anxious to check the topic for today's 5 Minute Friday post. As I scanned the page my heart sank. The topic... JOY, but the inspiration for its choosing left me already struggling to find such.
Sometimes it's hard to choose joy.
But that's exactly what Sarah has done. Found at the top of her blog, the words, CHOOSE JOY, courageously encourage all who visit to do so.
Choose joy.
In the midst of pain, in the midst of sorrow, in the face of death.
Choose joy.
Sarah chooses joy, because she knows it is not found in her circumstances. She has been sick for a very long time and received information this week that her body is shutting down. Hospice has arrived and a friend is updating her blog as she rests. I am continuing to pray, my friend, Gitzen Girl. :) You can read her story here.
I first linked up with Sara in July 2010. What a fun idea of bringing everyone together to create. A gracious host, an encourager of gifts.
Not to be confused with temporary happiness, joy is found deep inside, wrapped in the knowing of our Savior, the everlasting love of God, hope in the One Who never changes.
Our source of joy never empties...never runs out...never changes.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
I pray that joy continues to fill and overflow Sara, whether God chooses to heal her on earth or in heaven. I am sad to think of her leaving, of not being able to read her words or see her pictures, but I find joy in knowing God has made known to her the path of life, and at the end of her life, her joy will be made complete.
I pray also for each of you. That you might know joy as Sara knows joy. That you might choose as she chooses...keeping before you the truth that this world is not our home but a temporary place on our way to a land too wonderful to imagine...a place where tears are wiped away and love is consuming and we are whole.
A place in His presence.
A place where our joy is complete.
In honor of Sara, I am linking with The Gypsy Mama and The Mom Creative.
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3 friends had this to say:
It's obvious from reading how much Sara meant to you, as well as the rest of us.
This part -- Our source of joy never empties...never runs out...never changes. -- wow, that resonates with me so much. Thank you.
When I am joyless.....I know the only way I can be made joyful is by spending time at His feet, and taking part of His wonderful Word....choosing joy = choosing to go to Jesus instead of my dark self!!! Loved this post!! much lv ~alice
I just discovered Sara through Ann Voskamp's blog last night. She is absolutely amazing. I read a post that she had written on InCourage, it blew me away, choosing joy in the midst of her circumstances, extreme pain for so many years, never a complaint. I read her comments that she wrote back to those who commented, such a gentle spirit. It just really broke me in so many ways I cannot even begin to describe.
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