Joy is one of those things that can change your entire life and totally shift your perspective. It's one of those things that God calls us to, one of those things that are vitally important to our spiritual walks, and one of those things that we know we should have... but are often very hard to actually implement.
And I will forever be thankful to my mom for choosing to give it to me as my middle name to always remind me that joy is a choice, a mindset, and a beautiful way to live our lives.
This weekend is my mom's birthday and I just wanted to thank her for teaching me and reminding me as I've grown up that we always have a choice. As a little girl she would remind me that you choose to have a bad attitude. You choose to be grumpy.
And you can choose to fill your cup with joy and love and peace so that not even a drop of bitterness can flow out of it.
I recently had the privilege of writing a blog post about joy for the Young Writer Blog, and it was such a blessing and... joy to be able to share my thoughts about joy and the choice that we have to make for joy, specifically in regard to writing.
It was actually supposed to published in April, but got moved to this Tuesday - and what a fun coincidence (or perfect plan!) that it would be published the week of my mom's birthday. My mom, who gave me the middle name joy and has shown me how to choose joy over and over and over again.
My mom who I would like to thank, not for being a perfect mom, but for constantly pointing me back toward my Savior and loving me and supporting my writing and blogging and all the craziness that is me, while still constantly pushing me to become more and more like Christ.
And I want to remind all of you that everything you're doing - whether it's folding your kids' laundry or homeschooling them or encouraging them to chase after their dreams... it matters. It's important. It makes a difference.
Whether you're driving your kids to sports, or loving on your younger cousins, or playing with your neighbor, or just smiling at your co-worker, it all matters. It all points back to your Savior. It all fills your cup with another drop of joy.
Because, and I'll say it again and again, joy is a choice. It's choosing to smile as you pick up toys off the floor and choosing to speak kindly to a customer at work even when you're exhausted.
I am far from perfect at this. Far from perfect.
But God doesn't call us to instant holiness, He calls us to strive toward being like Him, a little bit more every day. He calls us to wake up every morning ready to walk through the day hand in hand with Him, enjoying His presence and talking to Him and trying to be conformed a little bit more to His image.
We're going to fail and snap at our siblings and get grumpy and sometimes just not choose joy. But He is merciful and gracious and kind, and He is with us, picking us up and helping us start again.
So whether you're a mom or a sister or an uncle or a grandpa, whether you're a writer or not, whether it's your birthday or your middle name is joy, or not, keep on choosing joy and choosing to love and choosing to fill your cup with life and light.
God is with you. He loves you. And this Saint Patrick's Day, He cares about you, a lot.