More about Joy

~ Barbara ~ 7 Comments

Meet David. He is our 46-year-old son, our fourth child. David has many limitations, the chief ones are his inability to speak and his intellectual simplicity. But he has many assets, such as faith, a worshiping heart, and JOY. He is the happiest person I know.

There is no problem or distress too big for God, so David prays. About everything. And then he walks away with joy because God’s got this. You may have skimmed over the words “about everything.” That is not an exaggeration.  

On our way to church Sunday morning, we saw two police cars with flashing lights. One officer was headed to the back of the house, the other to the front door. Prayer is as natural as breathing for David. He folded his hands to signify that we needed to pray. We prayed for the people who had a problem, for wisdom for the police, for safety for all involved. Amen.

No, not amen. This was not enough for David. He signed “Jesus.” The prayer wasn’t over until we asked that everyone involved would know Jesus. David’s faith was activated, and his joy was complete. Amen.

So I ask, could I be the deficient person? Me, with my great understanding, who can stress over media reports, or personal bad news that drains my joy? It’s certainly not David. His simple prayers are enough for any stressful situation because he lives Nehemiah 8:10:

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Pure Joy!

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

Where do you see the most smiles?  At baby showers? Birthday parties? Weddings? Many celebrations are joy-filled, with participants wearing wide grins. But a few days ago, we attended our grandson Ty’s graduation from Liberty University, and I do believe the big smiles on the graduates’ faces topped those at any other type of celebration. They were contagious; everyone was smiling!

The significance of a graduation is multifaceted. The accomplishment of passing tests and writing papers is combined with a student’s first foray from home. Now they turn their tassels and toss their hats in triumph, anticipating a future that will make use of their achievements. No wonder smiles beam from every face.

If you know me at all, you can anticipate where I’m going with this.

I envision the day our smiles will exceed those of the class of 2026. We too will be robed, not in throw-away gowns but in righteousness. We will have made it, written our stories, passed the tests, and graduated with honors.

We will hear, “Well done.” We will toss our crowns before our Father. Our “tassels” will turn from the earthly war we waged to the heavenly victory we face.

Full, complete, unmarred joy will be ours. Pure joy!

“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.”
Matthew 5:12

The Colors of Spring

~ Barbara ~ 2 Comments

I love the warmer temperatures of spring, the absence of bulky jackets, and no threat of snow. But I think what I love most are spring’s colors.

It may be an illusion, but the blue skies look brighter against green trees than they did against the shades of gray branches. My favorite color combination has always been blue and green.

And green is everywhere! We seemed to wait so long, eagerly watching for green buds that finally emerged and then darkened to provide rich foliage. The color elevates my spirit and seems to breathe new life into me.

My next favorite color is yellow. The daffodils, the azaleas, and (be still my heart) the goldfinches, all bright and cheerful.

Add pinks and purples to the palette as flowers bloom and color our world with petals of various shapes and sizes. God is amazing!

Even red thrills me, showing off in color-popping flowers and its vibrancy enticing us with luscious strawberries and juicy watermelon.

And don’t get me started on lilac bushes, where color and fragrance blend to stimulate our senses. I love the lavender-blue wild flowers that grow alongside highways. My favorite lavender-ish flowers are hydrangeas.

I hope you’re enjoying your spring. Remember to stop and smell the flowers, and pause to appreciate the colorful beauty of spring.

God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth…
Everything was created through Him and for Him.
He existed before anything else,
and He holds all creation together. Colossians 1:16-17

Follow the Leader

~ Barbara ~ 2 Comments

Did you play Follow the Leader as a kid? Everyone lined up behind the leader and mimicked the series of antics he performed. One by one, each child floundered until only one follower remained and became the next leader.

I just read the Exodus account of the Israelites following Moses through the Red Sea. Although familiar, the story still amazed me. What an awe-inspiring demonstration of God’s power and dramatic escape across a dry riverbed! I loved their bold faith when they safely stood on the shore of the river and, as their leader, Moses led them in a song of worship that praised God’s spectacular capabilities:

  • The Lord is highly exalted.
  • He is my strength and my song, my salvation.
  • The Lord is a warrior who drowned our enemies.
  • His right hand is majestic in power.
  • His love is unfailing.
  • Nations will tremble before Him.

These proclamations reflected Moses’ faith, the very thing that made him a good leader, then and during the forty years they wandered in the wilderness. Moses knew who God was and exalted Him above the frightening situations before them. Unfortunately, the Israelites fell out of line, floundering like the children in the game. But one followed closely and became the next leader, Joshua.

A good leader doesn’t waver when circumstances are adverse, but points to the truth that is higher than the challenge: who God is, how He acts, and what He says.

I am dismayed by the poor leadership I see, elected officials who rant and rage but do not honor God with their words. Do we follow leaders with the loudest voices and highest emotional charge? Or those who trust God to be God?

I want to follow leaders who honor God, whether in government, in church, in medicine, or in personal relationships.

Let’s follow the leader who believes God and knows that anything is possible with Him.

Better yet, you be the leader who proclaims God’s power, wisdom, and sovereignty over all things. Lead others to a higher level.

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