What Brings You Joy?

I recently read an article in the magazine "Today's Christian Woman" that asked this question.
I had to ask myself what brings me "true" joy. Before I could answer I was reminded again through this article what joy is. Many times I confuse it with happiness.

Here are a few highlights from the article that stood out to me.

First of all, happiness comes from the root hap, which means chance. Happiness is circumstantial. It's life going the way you want it to go and the feeling you experience when it happens. Like when the baby cooperates with your predetermined schedule. (Boy, do I know what that means!) Or when you have a family event and everyone is in a good mood and enjoys themselves. Happiness is something to enjoy and celebrate on those occasions when it happens. But what happens when life doesn't go the way we want?

The Old Testament describes joy as a quality of life as well as an emotion. Is my quality of life Joy? Here are some things that JOY IS:
-Something deep that celebrates God's character despite the circumstances
-a feeling of amazement, an uninhibited response to God's grace and presence in our days
-connected to hope, to love, to a perspective that sees beyond the immediate to the eventual

The fruit of joy is confidence in God, in his grace, despite the circumstances--despite what happens. Joy is the ability to hold up because we know we are being held up. Joy is the conviction that God is in control of every detail of our lives even when those details appear to be out of control.

So now I ask myself again, "What brings me Joy?" Well.....
--Knowing that despite the sicknesses we have endured..God is our Healer
--Despite the LONG, MUNDANE days of having 3 kids, I can rejoice in them
--When I don't know what tomorrow will bring, God goes before me and will guide me through
--Even though the things we do for our kids are never acknowledged, I can have God's perspective and see that eventually our sacrifices make a difference in the lives of our children
--Even when I have no desire to smile on any given day, God is still holding me in the palm of his hand and encouraging me to press on.
--Knowing that God's amazing grace is given to me every day of my small little life!

This is going to be my pursuit this coming year. I find "true" joy in every circumstance. To bring joy into the lives of my kids. To know it in my heart no matter what is going on around me.

I would love to know what brings you joy!