Joy and Thankfulness, Not an Easy Combination
Meg Chaney
I’m excited to share that I’m recording my Podcast again! If you’d like to listen to some encouragement through your headphones, my Podcast is for you! My devotions are short and sweet, and meant to give you a quickly boost to get over that hump day in your week! Please be sure to give me a follow! You can find me on major Podcast Platforms! Here’s a link to the Podcast! Your follow will help others find my devotional. I’m I little fish in a big world, so I appreciate your support!
Here’s a written version of today’s Podcast:
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever”
Hi Friends. For 2022 my word of the year is “Joy.” Joy is an amazing word. It’s short, it’s sweet, it’s easy to write. But it’s also hard to practice. It’s April, four months in, and I’m already seeking what a challenge it can be to practice joy each day. But here’s a few things I’m keeping in mind:
Finding joy often looks like Thankfulness. Even when life is overwhelming and stressful, I can find things to be joyful about. This Spring, we picked up our family and did another cross-country move. That, in and of itself, was a sad thing. I didn't’ feel joyful about leaving our old church family and friends behind. But I felt deep thankfulness. Thankfulness for their relationships, thankfulness for the ways in which the Lord had provided for us, throughout our three years living there. We had some amazing experiences. God blessed us with some great friendships. And so, I found joy in remembering the times God showed up.
Secondly, in moving to a new neighborhood, I’ve found joy in the new relationships being formed. Making new friendships can feel forced and awkward. Let’s be honesty, small talk will never be my favorite, but it’s necessary. I’m so thankful for how easy friendships have come in this new place. Unpacking and organizing our house can feel stressful, but thankfulness for the tiny things, like a sunshiny afternoon where my kids play outside for hours at a time, can give great joy!
Third, when I seek out thankfulness, I’m making room for the Joy of the Lord in my heart. Seeking out thankfulness gets me outside of myself. It’s easy for me to get bogged down. Bogged down by lists, responsibilities, expectations. Moving is not for the faint of heart, moving, while homeschooling, and then have your husband work from home as well, means that our house is always noisy, always busy, always full of activity.
Pausing for moments of thankfulness, doesn’t take away the business, but it can reframe it. Choosing to be thankful in a season of so many “news and unknowns” can drastically change my attitude.
In the midst of a busy, sometimes overwhelming life, what can you chose to be Thankful for today?