Re-JOY-ce

Don't think I have lost my mind with that title. It is spelled that way for a reason. In our current situation, with new findings, new heartache, new setbacks and anger I have been tempted to wallow in my grief.. Today I came really close to breaking. The weight is heavy on my heart. I have cried a lot the last few days and come close to just giving up so in an effort to refuel my soul in this valley I have been thinking about what "to rejoice" means to me and how in the world do I rejoice in the valley? How do I rejoice in faith defining moments of my life when everyone would understand if I just gave up?

Webster dictionary defines rejoice as "to feel or show that you are very happy about SOMETHING". Rejoices neighboring synonyms are happiness, delight, exuberate, glory, jubilate, joy, exult, triumph...as I type this my heart smiles "That's God!" That is His character. Lets break the word down even further. The prefix "re" means again and its suffix -ce means "once, twice etc..." So for the sake of my blog lets look at rejoice as meaning to feel or show that you are very happy about something...again and again and again ;) Lets re-JOY-ce! Reclaim the joy!

It doesn't say to feel or show that you are very happy about everything. It just says "SOMETHING". Surely there is something in your life to rejoice about. This is powerful and so very important when you are facing hardships. Its easy to fall from your faith when life has you knocked down. Its easy to see only the bad of the situation and hyper-focus on it. Worry about the outcomes and what you don't have control over, but what if you tried something different this time? What if you told yourself I WILL rejoice! I WILL find something that I am happy about and/or for. It wont be easy, we are creatures of habit and if you're anything like me its going to take a lot of time and effort to refocus on rejoicing but it isn't impossible! Even if we doubt that God is near.

The last two weeks have shown me that life isn't going to always be perfect or sunshine and flowers. Its going to knock me down, some days harder than others but I can still rejoice. I can find something in my life that makes me feel happy and so can you. Just because my circumstances aren't beautiful or happy doesn't mean God hasn't given me anything to rejoice about. I know its hard, I know its hard to think that way when your in the middle of a storm with your head bowed down trying to weather it but there is ALWAYS something to rejoice about. It may be raining now but we can rejoice and play in the rain puddles. It may be storming but we can rejoice in the safety of the Lord. Reclaim your JOY!

So, today I choose to "RE-JOY-CE" no matter what the days will hold. I will "RE-JOY-CE" over my health; it may not be in a perfect state but I'm still here and that means I still have a purpose! I will "RE-JOY-CE" over my husband who has the ability to calm my shaken soul. I will "RE-JOY-CE" over my amazing support system, new foster children finding homes with the BEST couple I know (I cant wait for pictures btw! YAY!), milestones being met for our William the conqueror and JJ. I will "RE-JOY-CE" with my friends because their happiness is the umbrella that shields the storm. I will "RE-JOY-CE" over my brothers unparalleled ability to always make me laugh, my mothers embrace, my dads quirky way of always making me feel loved when I need it the most. I will "RE-JOY-CE" over my foster children and furkids for making me a mommy. I will "RE-JOY-CE" over our 6 God children and their parents for trusting us enough to love and care for their babies in their absence. I will "RE-JOY-CE" and exalt the Lord for loving me enough to die for me <----- some days that last one is just enough on its own.

Its easy to rejoice in the good times and praise the Lord when life is going right. Its the most character defining moments for us to still be able to rejoice and praise the Lord in our trials, hardships and in the valley. Believe me, I know it isn't easy if your heart is hurting and you are waiting on The Lord. It has the ability to leave you feeling forgotten and alone but if you would, instead of feeding the doubt and despair make a "Re-JOY-ce" list. Make the list and re-read it over and over again until you feel the joy replace the despair and the love replace the doubt. I will be right there with you! Learning to count my blessings in the valley.....re-JOY-ce with me!