Monday, January 19, 2015

My JOY Jar

JOY is just popping up everywhere-
literally and figuratively.

Someone invited me to prayer time yesterday.
You know how we women are.
I am the I-don't-meet-a-stranger kinda woman.
I can enter in most any conversation,
but in certain "Christian" women groups, 
well, let's just say, I pull back.
Especially when the group is already established
and I am the outsider. 

I know, I know, there are no outsiders in Christ, 
you understand what I mean. 
If you don't, don't judge me.
You may find yourself there at some time or another. 

Annnnnyway.
I give reasons as to why I don't think I can stay.
Blah, blah, blah.
And my friend says, 
"Oh, you are just letting the devil defeat you."

With some people I have nerve enough to be myself
and I say, "Really???"
I go on to insist that I pray and it has nothing to do with the devil.

Really???

Another person invites me,
a not-so-close friend.
Eeeek.  
I don't want to go! I can pray just fine by myself!

Nudge, nudge, nudge from the Holy Spirit.
Another eeeek!

Okay, okay, okay.

Around the room, need for prayers expressed.
Bonnie???
Yes????
Okay, okay, I'm getting it, Lord.

I ask for prayer for the spiritual warfare that I have been in for a year.
You know, the kind where you are slandered and your name has been trashed
and your witness has been tarnished by the words of others?

The kind where the Lord said, 
"I will fight for you, you need only to be still."
And you've let Him fight it, but you're tired.  Really tired.
You want it to stop and it only gets worse.

A very godly lady whom I have the utmost confidence in asks me, 
"Have you lost your joy?"

What??? Where in the world did that come from???
Lost my JOY?
I said, "No, I have joy.  I'm just now getting it back."

"Really?" the Lord is whispering now.

Really?

The rest of the story will have to wait.

So, I've made myself a JOY jar.


I'm asking God to give me JOY in every circumstance, 
when I'm torn down or lifted up, 
when I'm accepted and when I feel rejected, 
when I laugh and when I cry, 
when I have faith and when I'm in fear.

Lord, help me to choose JOY.



16 comments:

  1. Good on you!!!!! If this is how you are feeling, you have every right to say it. I don't think that God will mind, he knows how you feel already after all. I hope that joy comes your way and that your jar is overflowing with joy and wonderful joyful and happy moments!!! xx

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  2. He is the HOUND OF HEAVEN and He WILL have you where He wants you! Always looking for joy here---but am I refusing to look where He is pointing?

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  3. Happy Happy, love the jar.... Blessings Francine.

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  4. My word for this year is J- Jesus
    O - Others
    Y - you
    and to have more joy in my life. Be Happy!!
    I hope you have LOTS OF JOY all year.
    warmly,
    deb

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  5. I love the jar and the plan for it! I think you are getting your joy back and I can't wait to see that jar filled!

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  6. Hi Bonnie, this is so good. Our minister actually talked about this a few Sunday's ago. I love your JOY jar. Your post is a direction for joy and your jar is perfect. Thank you for sharing.
    Wishing you much joy as the year goes along.
    Hugs
    XO

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  7. Praying for a bit more joy to help you fill your jar!

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  8. I love this!!!! Wonderful idea...now...go fill it up! I want slips of paper filled up in there!! {Grinning}--Blessings

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  9. I'm so thrilled you're finding joy. You deserve happy times. I'm slowly coming around too. As you know, I've also been slandered, treated badly (by alleged Christians too), recently lost treasured friends, pets, family. It was just too much! After taking time to cool my jets, I'm finding joy too. Might even get back to blogging. It'll be Sparky 3.0. *giggle* BTW, I used to get sweaty palms in "organized groups" too but have kinda gotten over that. If they wanna gang up and throw tomatoes, I'll just make spagetti sauce. *lol* I. Just. Don't. Care. Anymore.
    Luv ~:)

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  10. I LOVE your Joy Jar! I have seen a Thankful Jar, but this one is new and I think it's perfect! Wonderful idea, sweet lady. Hugs!

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  11. Love the joy jar. My word last year was enJOY.

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  12. Love that JOY JAR! I hope it will be full to the top as the year goes by:) Sounds like a great group of prayerful women, happy you went! Have a blessed day dear Bonnie, HUGS!

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  13. I get rather shy with new people too so I understand for sure. I love the idea of the JOY jar.

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