Joy

I'm an autumn person.  I like the deep, rich colors that come before the leaves die.  I prefer the last lines of Moby Dick ("It was the devious-cruising Rachel, that in her retracing search after her missing children, only found another orphan.") to Cinderella ("And they lived happily ever after.")  I enjoy Christmas carols written in minor keys. I like  for KING & COUNTRY's song "Crave" to their "Fine Fine Life".  And, if I had to admit, I often let myself slip into despondency for no reason, and let bitterness creep in where it doesn't belong.

Basically, I like the opposite of joy.  I'm not sure what to call it, exactly.  It isn't unhappiness or sadness or anger.  It isn't that I don't love to laugh.  I am just, moody.  Minor, instead of major.  Grey, in place of white.  And so, it makes me uncomfortable to reach outside my small circle of melancholy contentment and experience unbridled Joy.  To laugh until I cry.  To sing "Good Morning," Mandisa's energetic thankfulness for a brand new day, at the top of my lungs.  Because the introvert in me, who likes to live life in retrospection and contemplativeness,  often misses the happiness in the moment.  Often skips the blessings, and sees only the shadows.  And while that isn't always the case for me, it often turns out that way.  So, this year, I'm wanting Joy to kidnap my heart.

I've been looking at Scriptures that talk about Joy.  Lately, it's been Psalm 51:12:

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit."

 The Psalmist is asking God to give him Joy, and a spirit willing to do what God asks.  And that's the best way to start.  Prayer.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Matt. 7:7-8

 I've also been trying to find some songs with themes of Joy, but I've had a hard time finding anything that really talks specifically about Joy.  There are a multitude of songs dealing with hope, forgiveness, and grace, but I've had a difficult time finding any that have to do with Joy.

Have you been reading any Scripture about your word of the year?  If you've heard any Christian music that speaks about Joy, I'd love to hear about it!

Happy Julianuary!

Happy New Year, everyone!  Can you believe that it is already 2014?  It's the Year of the Horse (well, not quite, but soon) and of "radiant orchid" (for creative folk like me).  For many, it's a year of new jobs, new opportunities, new beginnings.  I like the first days of each new year a lot.  I enjoy contemplating about things ahead, and remembering things I've learned and mistakes I've made in the past.  It's part of living, reminiscing is.  And the new year is the perfect time to do it.

Last year, instead of forming resolutions, I chose a word that I thought would characterize the year for me.  It was a word I wanted to think about, learn about, and blog about.  Last year, it was Hope.  If you would like to go back and read my thoughts on Hope, you can go back here, here, and here.

So this year, I've decided to choose a new word for 2014.  The one I landed on is Joy.

The reason I chose Joy, is very simple.  I don't have any.  Well, that isn't exactly true.  I have a vast potential for Joy -- I have God Himself living inside of me!  He has blessed me in ways beyond my comprehension.  He has promised to take care of me and give me everything I will ever need.  And, He has said that I can be filled with His Joy.  The problem is, I don't tap into that resource that God has blessed me with.  I let the little things in life frustrate me to the point where Joy is miles away.  So, this year I'd like to learn more about, and implement Joy in my life.

What are your New Year's resolutions?  Do you have a word for 2014?