Word for the Year 2009

I participate on two homeschool forums and many people are talking about a word for the year. In a way it's like a resolution, but something that you focus on throughout the whole year. It's meant to allow the Lord to work in you. I had been praying for a word. It seems there are millions of words that I need to work on. Do you ever feel that way? Sometimes I am just so overwhelmed with my own sin nature. It's just a good reminder of the goodness of God.

Anyway, after praying for a week, we were listening to the John Marshall Family. They sing a song entitled He Gives Me Joy. I began to cry when I was singing and I know that this is what the Lord wants me to focus on for the year-JOY.

To be honest, I am a very serious turned person. I am not bubbly, hopping around singing praises all the time. I am thoughtful and contemplative. There are days where I wish I could be in someone else's body for a day just to get a break from my heavy thoughts. I am not wishing to be someone else. I know the Lord created me to be who I am and though more bubbly personalities may be more popular that's just not who I am.

When I speak of joy, I am not talking about just being happy. I'm talking about joy that's found in God's Word. I'm talking about joy that abides when things are tough. I love what John 16:22 says, "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again,and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." The joy that God gives no man can take from me.

I love the following little acronym.

J-Jesus
O-Others
Y-Yourself

I will be studying joy in the Bible and posting my thoughts on it in a regular manner. I think it will be good for me to type up my thoughts.

My prayer:"Lord, thank you so much for your grace. Please give me the joy that only You can. Help me to be yielded to You that I may be a blessing to others and that You might be glorified."