Saturday, April 14, 2012

Today I will choose JOY.........





This is the portrait my friend painted during the funeral.  Jodi knew Ryan since he was five.  She captured the swirl and vibrance of his life.  She will be offering posters at costs down the road.  I'll keep you posted.








The day of the Wake my sisters and I and my friend Susan were cramming in our car to go to the mall to get our toes done, yes, I know Ryan would have thought that was ridiculous, but we were in need of some pampering.  Ryan wasn't right about EVERYTHING!  :)  Anyway, one of my sisters had left her devotional, 'Jesus Calling', on the dashboard. I decided we all needed a bit of inspiration and opened it up to that day's devotion: "Trust me in every detail of your life.  Nothing is random in My kingdom.  Everything that happens fits into a pattern for good, to thoe who love me. Instead of trying to analyze the intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on trusting Me and thanking Me at all times.  Nothing is wasted when you walk close to Me.  Even your mistakes and sins can be recycled into something good, through My transforming grace."  As you can imagine, when I was done reading there wasn't a dry eye in the car.  God heard my cry on the first day of my blog and affirmed me through this devotion that I was hearing Him and trusting Him as He planned.  He affirmed my heart.


A snippet of today's devotion said "I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four-hour segments.  I understand human frailty, and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time.  Do not worry about tomorrow or get  stuck in the past.  There is abundant Life in My Presence today."  Can you believe God's perfection?  How many of us needed to hear that today?  


I was sitting on the couch yesterday and looked up at the wall across from me.  On the wall hung my painting I did a couple months back when my family spent a night at 'Paint The Town' with some of our wonderful family friends.  I felt compelled that night to paint my heart, which often is..."Today I will choose joy!"  As I looked at the wall and read those words I was gripped with the reality of those words.  Those words would be harder to do than ever, and would be the primal cry of my heart for a very long time.  When pain and sorrow grip me, I will purpose to CHOOSE joy.  That does not mean I will not allow the feelings to wash over me.  But will CHOOSE not to let them consume me.  God's grace and joy will be my compass and my comfort.  







7 comments:

  1. <3 I love the painting of Ryan and I will definitely be buying some. Thank you so much for sharing your heart through this blog. Being so far away has been really hard for me this week and reading your posts makes me feel like I'm not so far away. I have the book "Jesus Calling" also, and I am in awe at how much God has shown me through my devo times this past week. I miss you and love you all!! Stay strong!!

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  2. Gail, your strength through all of this is an inspiration to many. I'm not sure if I were facing what you are and have I would have the same ability to focus as you are. Reading through your blog each day I draw from you so much. I remember our many talks over the years and you were always so strong and I admired you then and I continue to, to this day. I'm praying for you and your family. God will continue to guide you each day and each step you take. Love you all!!

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  3. So happy to see the finished painting. It's really great. Thanks for choosing joy! You are an inspiration.

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  4. I Chronicles 16: 27 - 29
    Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations , acsribe to the Lord glory and strength , ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.

    The rest of this chapter in Chronicles is beautiful..... Thinking of you today.

    Tresa

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  5. I'm grateful to see the painting that I enjoyed "in process" at the AWESOME memorial service! You and your WHOLE family are an inspiration and definitely help all of us relishing your blog to choose JOY too. I remember from a sermon long ago that JOY can be an acronym for: Jesus, Others, Yourself. We should live life prioritizing in that order. Praying for you all TONS and may you "let" Him continue to be your "Shield and the lifter of your head." Psalm 3:3

    Lisa

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  6. While our family healing journey is different it feels so similar some days! I love your posting today and it gave me much JOY. Perfect for my day as I was feeling a bit low. I feel I am riding the roller coaster of life with you. Joy to the world for your words and inspiration. Be real and be strong.

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  7. "Today is the day you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" That was the cry of David's heart, and the cry of my heart everyday I was living through and partaking in the Lord's suffering. For quite some time I would have to sing that line over and over just to receive that joy and peace that surpasses all understanding that only Christ can give. You are right on girl friend, and because you have chosen joy over despair, others will see and put their trust in you God too!

    I love you so much!

    Today Is The Day by Lincoln Brewster

    I'm casting my cares aside
    I'm leaving my past behind
    I'm setting my heart and mind on you
    Jesus

    I'm reaching my hand to yours
    Believing there's so much more
    Knowing that all you have in store for me is good
    Is good

    Today is the day, you have made
    I will rejoice and be glad in it
    Today is the day, you have made
    I will rejoice and be glad in it
    I won't worry about tomarrow
    I'm trusting in what you say, Today is the day

    I'm putting my fears aside
    leaving my doubts behind
    I'm giving my hopes and dreams to you
    Jesus

    I'm reaching my had to yours
    Believing there's so much more
    Knowing that all you have in store for me is good
    Is good

    Today is the day, you have made
    I will rejoice and be glad in it (glad in it)

    Today is the day, you have made
    I will rejoice and be glad in it
    I won't worry about tomarrow
    I'm trusting in what you say, today is the day

    I will stand upon your truth
    I will stand upon your truth
    All my days I'll live for you
    All my days I'll live for you
    And I will stand upon your truth
    I will stand upon your truth
    All my days I'll live for you
    All my days I'll live

    Today is the day, you have made
    I will rejoice and be glad in it (glad in it)
    Today is the day, you have made
    I will rejoice and be glad in it

    I won't worry about tomorrow
    Giving you my fears and sorrows
    Where you lead me I will follow
    I'm trusting in what you say, today is the day

    Today is the day
    [ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/l/lincoln-brewster-lyrics/today-is-the-day-lyrics.html ]

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