
A year ago, I got a plaque that says “Today I Choose Joy” in cute decorative letters on a pale background.
It’s something that I’ve done… well… incredibly badly at.
For the first month or two I did a tolerable job of remembering.
Then we moved. The plaque no longer rested in my sightline. And then Covid hit.
The next nine months I mostly ignored the plaque when I saw it. Then I started to try to refocus and choose joy when I would see the plaque—especially when I didn’t feel like it!
Christmas and new books are almost inseparable for me.
It just wouldn’t feel like Christmas if you couldn’t retreat into some fictional world—with their hosts of problems—and their almost guaranteed answers.
One of the books that I got this year was Finding Joy by Rebekah A. Morris.
It seemed like it would be the perfect story to spark the flame of choosing joy that had faltered and fizzled out so many times in this past year.
I was so excited to start reading—and I was not disappointed!
“Give it to Jesus, Hon. He knows the pain.”
“I did,” it was almost a wail and tears began to soak his shirt.
Zach tightened his arms around her and said quietly, “But you took it back.”
For a moment the sobs ceased. “Wh-what do you mean?”
“You gave it to Him and He gave you joy, but now you have taken the pain back and returned the joy.
Wow.
I do that. Again and again and again I give God my problems—I lay them at His feet and find peace and joy—and then I wonder where my joy has gone—and totally miss that I’ve taken the problems back on my own shoulders—shoulders that God never intended to carry them!
During a time when it is uncertain what the next day will hold. When we’re separated from loved-ones and trapped by things we never would have chosen—we’re called to find joy. To choose joy.
I would class this book as the perfect Covid read!
Encouraging—challenging—and pleasantly distracting from everything that is going on in our world.
It’s message is SO good!!
This book covers the topic of miscarriages—but it is dealt with discreetly. I would probably say 16+ as the age range—although someone who is not sensitive could probably read it younger.
Definitely a book that I would recommend if you’re on a quest to find joy even in the hard times!
So… I set out again to choose joy.
Even if the world looks dark.
Even if this isn’t the winter I’d scripted.
It’s worth it. I know it is.
If you’d like to take a look at more of Rebekah Morris’ books, you can visit her site www.readanotherpage.com
How are you finding joy right now? What helps you to choose joy on a hard day? Have you ever found your day turn around when you start praising and praying instead of letting the discouragement settle in?