Humbled: Thoughts on Joy

Imagine my shock when I received notice of this from Internet Cafe Devotions:


A portion of the e-mail in my inbox read:

"Congratulations! Your blog was chosen as one of the TOP 100 Christian Women's Blogs for the year 2009 in the category of: “Most Joyful Among Us”.

The explanation of this category is:

"This gal always sees her coffee cup “half full” and the joy just pours out of her site. Her joyful attitude is what keeps you coming back for more."

I began to ponder... On joy.
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I once heard this definition of joy:

"Joy: Peace dancing in your heart."

Capture a picture of this for a minute. Peace dancing... regardless of what is happening... there is peace. That peace is not just sitting still becoming stagnant, it's dancing! Dancing in the heart, the very depths of a soul!! That peace dancing in the very depths of a soul... that, my friends, is joy!

"Joy is more than my spontaneous expression of laughter, gaiety, and lightness. It is deeper than an emotional expression of happiness. Joy is... God in my life as I walk with Him." --Bonnie Monson

Life as I walk with God. That is true joy! Walking with God requires action. To walk is a verb. I must be active in the process. I must walk. I find joy by seeking God and His face, by being in His presence.


Psalm 43:3-4 (NLT)
"...Lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy."

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
"You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. "


God is the only one who brings that true joy into my life. It is that joy, that peace dancing, that can be and is the giver of my strength... even in the most difficult times.


Nehemiah 8:10b (NLT)
"...For the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Psalm 28:7-8a (NLT)
"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives his people strength. "


As I seek God, as I actively walk with God, as I depend on Him...He gives me His joy. He gives me His peace dancing in my heart. He gives me His strength. It is nothing I can attain or achieve on my own. It comes from Him and Him alone.

Whatever circumstance I find myself in, whether happy or sad, whether exciting or tragic, whether energizing or exhausting... I can have joy.

From the very depths of my being, my soul can rest in His plans. My moments find strength to push forward in His strength. My heart can dance the dance of peace... the dance of joy.

When it is all said and done, I can give thanks and praise to His name. He has done great things! I have been filled with joy... a peace dancing... because of Him!


Psalm 9:1-3 (NLT)
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."


My Hope and Prayer

I hope and pray that the joy found here is from God in my life as I walk with Him. I am encouraged to think that perhaps this is a place where peace is seen dancing, regardless of where that day finds me in my world.

Thoughts on joy: a magnificent place for me to spend some time this morning.

And humbled... oh so very humbled...

Joy: all because of Him!
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These 100 blogs were selected by nominations. Thank you to each one of YOU, my faithful readers and friends. I do not take it lightly that you choose to spend time here with me. I appreciate and enjoy the presence of YOU more than you know!

I can't begin to tell you how honored I am to be included with such an amazing group of ladies!

I will be taking some time in the days ahead to grab a cup of coffee, settle in and head on over to savor some new reads. Care to join me?