unexpected joy during unexpected times

morning cinnamon vanilla steamer 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. - James 1:2-4

Joy? Really? Joy here... joy now?  Where God and how? 

In this world we are prone to suffer. It's the pain from the loss of a loved one, disappointment, rejection, medical illness, failed trust, feeling like a failure, and whatever just came to your mind. 
These are the things that test us and show how we handle them.

So how do we count it all joy? 

Christians are called to count these trials in life as joy because that's just what they become ... trials. There is now a purpose to what is purposeless without Christ. Trials that break down the hardness of our flesh (pride, selfishness... etc). As one pastor said, with extreme heat, clay cracks. And there are trials that we go through that God will use for His glory presently or in the future- whether you know it or not (Rom 8:18). 

As James says it's because "you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance". Perseverance for what? More trials. 

Oh how good God is that He would use what all people must go through (which is suffering) as an opportunity to be used and molded by Him as christians!      

And don't give up! "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  How many times have I given up on patience and kindness when I start thinking about how much I hate being "here" or "there" and I start acting negative towards others. What if I just persevered longer, what work could have been done in me and through me? 

Where do we find this joy? In Christ Jesus who bore the ultimate trial. When we seek Him, He will provide our strength to persevere. And we can find our support and encouragement through the trials in each other. 

So how do we count it all joy? I think Paul explains it pretty well in Romans. 

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18

I encourage you to scroll to the top and click on the song "Your Hands" on the right hand side of the page and give it a listen. 

I hope today - whatever happens, good or bad - that you can praise God for doing a work in you. 

a fishing challenge

This weekend Patrick and I went fishing for the first time this year. Nothing seemed to go right throughout wrong trails, bad weather, forgetting important equipment, etc... 

By the time Sunday came around we realized the importance of placing our attitudes in the right direction, even when times got frustrating.

 Hmmm... I remember Peter and the disciples going fishing in John 21. They fished all night and didn't catch anything. Then Jesus standing from the shore told them to cast on the right side of the boat and there their nets were filled. Patrick and I may not have caught any fish this weekend, but when we put our attitudes and frustrations on the right side, where God would instruct us to (cast our cares on Him in Psalm 55:22), we were no longer drained of the frustrating week but filled with love and joy, given to us by our Father. We couldn't have done that on our own because of such a crazy filled weekend.

Friday fishing below:

Friday, Patrick's fishing below:

Our fishing spot on Saturday: 1hr hike.

Sunday evening fishing.

-Valentines-

Song of Solomon 8:6-8

Place me like a seal over your heart,
   like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
   its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
   like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
   rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
   all the wealth of one’s house for love,
   it would be utterly scorned

 Below: Photos from the surprise valentines date Patrick took me on. He took me out for private horse back riding lessons, but we also found a lot of friendly faces around the ranch like llamas, turkeys, miniature horses and donkeys, goats, etc. 

On Hold...

Well, my photos are on hold for a few days until I can get my camera charged up.

Airplanes, Snowy Days, Trust, Contentment and Responsibility

Today I made a completely horrendous mistake:

I bought a ticket for the wrong departure and return date! My phone was broken and I was a complete emotional wreck, trying to find another flight online, through tear filled eyes. I felt God give me peace, as He reminded me that He was in control. So, I pulled myself together and was able to change flights for a penalty fee (which are hefty but ok). As I was waiting for my flight to depart I overheard people who had their flights home canceled for the 6th day in a row! I knew that things could be a lot worse then my 3 hour delay and that I was blessed enough to be having a flight that day. The best part about this day was that my sister and the baby are doing well.

"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble" -Psalm 59:16

(Below: San Antonio Airport)

I just thought this was a little dramatic but fitting to my situation. 

God's timing...

"Those who know your name trust in you,
   for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." - Psalm 9:10

Today I found out my sister has been induced into labor at 32 weeks. That's a little frightening since I did a rotation on the NICU floor and it is the last thing I would want my sister and her baby to go through! God, though, has His perfect timing for absolutely everything... that is everything. There is nothing out of His control, without His knowledge, or without His hand on things. On anything and everything, He is! 

(Below: I finished making this quilt for my sister)