chaos ensues

Illness has invaded our home.  In the wake of Mommy being laid up... chaos ensues. Mini bodies are clothed and fed. I am praising my Lord for a dishwasher! But toys are scattered. Crumbs get smaller with each passage of pitter-patter through the house.

For the rest of the week everything will be washed with hot water and tea tree oil to kill some germs!

But what about the spirit that aches? -the Mommy-heart that hurts over canceled activities and a less-than-compassionate attitude that can take over when a body just feels... iiiuhhh.

While yet taking a break from typing this, as most posts take several "sit sessions" to complete, I rested, made yet another meal, and kept repeating... "what did you say?" over. and. over. and. over. and not always in a pleasant manner. {my ears a horribly stopped up}

While medicine and sleep can {usually} take care of the body, who or what can takes care of my soul?

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing...girded me with gladness...to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalms 30:10-12

The Lord takes care of my soul. His mercies are new every. single. day. And they fail not. I ask for His joy... He makes my mourning to dance and lifts me with gladness.

When I allow a merry heart to take over {it does good like a medicine, you know}, or... as sometimes happens... I look for a merry heart, I begin to have my spirits raised and while my body still aches, my soul is lighter, happier... my face can have a smile amid cracked lips and a sinus pressure headache. 

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Some days all I need to find a merry heart is to STOP. and look at and listen to my children. With 4 around, someone is bound to be bringing amusement. I take an active role in playing with them, asking what they are playing... and that has yet to not lift my spirits.

Other days I think through our church members, browse my facebook friends for those who do not post very frequently...and look. actively seek out. someone who needs my prayer, or maybe a note. When I get outside of myself, I find a solace for my soul that is not there when I am focusing on me... even on my blessings. 

So, while my body is still struggling {contemplating a doctor visit :(}, my soul has become lighter, healthier, more peaceful... because Jesus is said to be the Great Physician... and sometimes my soul needs more healing than my ill body.

the Lord's joy... my strength {day 7}

Sundays are a little hectic. Usually I try not to schedule or allow anything that might take away from any calmness that might be found in getting ready for church services and praying for our Pastor. Thus, I did not get my post typed out yesterday for day 7.

But the Lord did speak to me.... {smiles}

one of the faces that makes my heart HAPPY!

There were several things that I wrote down in my notes from the messages yesterday. I want to share one with you.

The source of our strength... in those weak days {or any day!} is the Lord. A verse that popped in my mind was from Nehemiah where it says: the joy of the Lord is your strength.

I think this thought originated with what my Pastor was saying {and I think he actually spoke of that verse}, but honestly, there are times my mind is triggered by something and I start having my own little service in my head for a few minutes... with verses and thoughts ministering to me... inside my head... {am I strange? does this happen to anyone else?}.

Regardless of where it originated, this thought encouraged me:

I often would think of this phrase in that verse in the context of 

  “God’s joy in my heart will give me the strength to face the day....”

But what if another way to think of it is equally true? 

“When I do things that bring God joy, 

                         I receive the strength I need to carry on.”

And this thought made me wonder about what I might do that brings God joy!!

Thinking about the parent/child relationship, I know my own children bring my heart joy when they
obey....

or when they
do right even when their friends do not...

or when
they just say the love me & give a hug... out-of-the-blue....

Is it possible those things bring my Heavenly Father joy, too? Thus giving me strength to keep on going.

Thinking about the friend/lover relationship, I know my husband brings joy to my heart when he
speaks up on my behalf.... {maybe I could speak of the Lord’s goodness}

when he
tells me how much I mean to him {in prayer, I can praise God for who He is... simply because I know He loves me}

How about you!? What sort of things do you think might bring Joy to the Lord in your life? When you do those things, do you find that strength results? I know I do!