joy

i was asked last november if i would mentor 2 young high school girls. having a passion for teens and children it didn't take me long to say yes. one girl i know fairly well, the other, just basically by name.

so this week we were together sitting in dairy queen. i had struggled to identify what God wanted me to talk with them about that night. at the same time i was struggling with several other decisions i needed to make. i love how God uses our struggles and brings them together to show us His truth.

so as i was finishing the dishes and waiting for one to arrive it hit me. why not do with the girls the same thing i needed and wanted to do with myself? so as we splurged on blizzards, while it looked like a blizzard outside, we set some goals. i challenged each of us to define 3 - one that is physical, one that is spiritual, and one that would bless others. while we chatted, the goals slowly evolved and we were all excited.

the 3 of us together will be running a 5k race this summer. we all have certain people that we plan to visit regularly or write to often. these are all people that will be blessed by visits and cards. i was so impressed with these young girls ability to identify people that they have neglected and how to reach out to them this year. for me, visiting my grandparents is so important. especially in light of my grandma's failing health.

as we moved into the spiritual goal things got really fun. one wanted to memorize more, one wanted to be more faithful with devotions, and for me - God totally revealed an answer to one of those decisions i mentioned above. there is a bible study starting at our church. since i run the children's minsitry i'm often disconnected from church - especially bible studies. this has been a a year that i've missed feeling connected, but the study still didn't interest me. even though it was now being offered during the weekday; even though it is on esther, who happens to be my favorite bible hero; and even though about 10 people have asked me to participate i struggled with saying yes. i struggled out of guilt. i struggled because it isn't what i like. i'm not a book study gal. ask my college friends. i made a game for every test i took. i think it annoyed them all greatly, especially during finals. anyways - i'm a journaler, or atleast i used to be. so as i shared with the girls i wanted to journal more God spoke very clearly to me. in that moment, while chilled from the dq, meditating on said verse. as i do, i will journal on only that verse. i will journal what it means to me, how God is changing me through it, what i think God truly means.

for this month i want to focus on joy. some of my experiences from the past year have robbed me of my joyGod gently said that is what He wanted for me this year. He released me from the guilt - but He said i needed a purpose in my journal. i needed a focus.

so....i am going to pick one bible verse or passage each month. i will spend that month memorizing, meditating, and writing. seeking what topic to meditate on this month, God spoke even more clearly. during this past year, i've allowed several circumstances to rob me of joy. and i feel with great truth that is not what God wants. for God is joy. joy is not found in circumstances, but in God and i cannot allow myself to give my joy over to those circumstances. so i plan to meditate quietly and deeply in my soul for the rest of this month on joy.

i'm still trying to settle on a verse on joy. but i'd love to hear from you. what are your favorite verses on joy? i can't wait to see and hear and experience God's best for me as i begin this journey. there is a renewed passion deep in my soul and i can't wait...