When faced with life's challenges,
it is Important to Remember
that although Daniel was saved from the lions,
he was not saved from the Lion's Den.


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Joy

Joining with the other writers over at  Lisa Jo's today.  I might be late, but I know I haven't missed the train yet!  This is where we write for five minutes flat without worrying whether it is write or not.  Hope to see you there. 




Today's prompt is:

JOY


START

We live in a world today that is always talking about personal happiness; about doing things for yourself,  about “finding” yourself.  There is nothing wrong with personal happiness, in its right context.  We may think we are happy when we are really being selfish.  Happiness is never about who we are.  It always is about what we are doing and who we are helping.
joy
noun \ˈjȯi\

: a feeling of great happiness

: a source or cause of great happiness : something or someone that gives joy to someone

: success in doing, finding, or getting something


 2 Nephi 2:25   ….men are, that they might have joy.

I love that our Heavenly Father wants us to have joy, not just happiness.  I love that joy is more than just being happy.  I love that it is greater than happiness could ever be.  I believe that Joy only comes from doing what our Heavenly Father wants us to do.  It comes as we seek Him and strive to follow His example in all the parts of our lives. 

Joy is the middle name of one of my daughters, and one of my granddaughters.  They love their name.  I love it too.  I gave that name to my daughter because I waited so long for the blessings of these last girls.  I wanted her so much.  I wanted her to understand that she was and is always a joy and a blessing to us. 

When I think of joy, I think of something a little extra.  I think of something added upon.  Being happy is wonderful, but being filled with joy is something really special.  I wanted her to know that she has always been really special to our family.

Being filled is like having no room for any other feeling.  Having no room for anything else.  Joy fills us right up.  It covers our spirits and our souls.  It is so much happiness that we can hardly contain it all.  Joy is a gift from our loving Father to each and every one of us.  All we need to do is seek Him.  When we find Him, we will also find our joy in serving Him.



“One ship sails east.
One ship sails west.
Regardless of how the winds blow,
It is the set of the sail
And not the gale
That determines the way we go.”
(Author unknown)


STOP

Now, what can you write in just five minutes?

2 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed your writing. What a great story about giving your daughter the middle name Joy. What a loving thing to do - remind her every day, or at least every time she uses her middle name - of the great joy our Lord gives us. Thanks for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely. I love this sentence: I believe that Joy only comes from doing what our Heavenly Father wants us to do.
    You are a follower of Jesus ... doing what He wants us to do.
    Found you from FFM - I am late too.
    Blessings and joy,
    Janis

    ReplyDelete