I'm behind in my J.O.Y. Experiment (which if you have NOOOO idea what I'm talking about...you can get the LOWDOWN here.)
I usually make it a point to be transparent on this little blog. I have candidly shared about my life-long struggle with depression. I've also shared a bit about my shattered heart after my ex-husband left us for greener pastures. But, this past month or so has brought about some things that I just can't share at this time. But, they have knocked me to my knees. Which is a really good place to be if you have NO idea on where to go next.
Blow after blow has come these past few weeks. Enough that I called my mama & told her to QUIT praying for us. ENOUGH! It seemed the more she & my daddy prayed for us...the worse it got! Now, I know you all know that I'm kidding. I covet my mama's prayers. And, if she hadn't been praying...I shudder to think of how we would have coped.
Colossians 1:9-12
Be assured that from the first day we
heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise
minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding
of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master,
making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and
more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that
you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim
strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is
strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking
the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and
beautiful that he has for us.
But, this is what I can tell you...
I am filled with J.O.Y.
I'm not saying that I haven't experienced times of great grief & doubt.
I have.
But, through it all...a complete sense of peace & JOY has resonated.
It reminds me of that children's Sunday School song...
I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy
Down in my heart.
WHERE?
Down in my heart.
WHERE?
Down in my heart.
I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart.
TO STAY.
And, stay it has.
Can I get an AMEN???
So, there has been a reason for the lack of posts.
And, for that...I'm sorry.
Not for you, but, for me.
Because this thing I do...
writing...sharing...creating....
is really for me.
Even if no one ever read this blog again...
I'd write.
So, there you have it.
Let's get to our study.
Remember as part of the J.O.Y. Experiment, I am studying a name of God a month. Thus the Christmas tree that is still up in our family room. The Gunny calls it the Jesus tree. And, I'm cool with that. This month the name that I have studied is...
EMMANUEL.
EMMANUEL = GOD WITH US
How fitting after this past month.
He's good like that.
I dig that about Him.
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.
The word Emmanuel appears only three times in the Bible:
Isaiah 7:14, 8:8, and Matthew 1:23.
Y'all, I can't think of any more to say on that....
GOD WITH US.
My tiny human mind can barely comprehend.
Here is the scripture verses for the month of April
You can download it here.
Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me via Facebook (Hello Neighbor has a page...feel free to "like" it), Instagram (who says social media friends aren't "real"...y'all, are as real as they come!), and email. I have felt your prayers & your sweet words have been like a balm to my weary soul.
I'm going to leave you with this....
John 16:21-23
“When a woman gives birth, she has a
hard time, there’s no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy
in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The
sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy
is also similar. When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it
will be a joy no one can rob from you. You’ll no longer be so full of
questions.
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