This life — this one life I have — I’ve given to my Heavenly Father. It’s not that I can’t do life my way. I can. But when I do — oh, the mess I make of it. Words spoken that hurt and wound, attitudes shown that grieve the Holy Spirit, and actions taken that cause others to stumble.
It’s just easier to allow full access of my soul to the one who created me. It’s a day-to-day living and growing. It’s the Holy Spirit sweetly abiding, teaching, and guiding me. This surrender to God grows joy.
Joy in God’s Presence
I love being with RB. Even if it’s just going to the grocery store, it’s more fun with him. That’s how I feel about God. I just want to take Him everywhere.
Joy in Loving Others
I try to make each person I meet happier. I’ve found that a gentle tone, a sincere compliment, and an interest into their hurting souls gives me joy.
Joy in Becoming Like Jesus
One of my favorite songs was written by Thomas O. Chisholm in 1897:
Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.
Oh! to be like Thee, Oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
None of this means I live a perfect life. What it does mean is that each day I ask Jesus to stamp His image on my heart. And as I try each day to love others, to live in God’s presence, and to strive to become as much like Christ as I can, my soul finds joy.
It’s a journey, sweet friends, a daily journey of surrendering myself and learning to live with a Christ-like spirit.
What does your journey look like?
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