When Joy Eludes Us

Soren Kierkegaard writes, “Most people rush after pleasure so fast they rush right past it”

Do you find yourself in the “most people” category? Rushing after pleasures such that you run right past them?

Joy eludes us when we rush. As homeschoolers we often feel the daily pressures of “getting it done” and at the same time “doing everything else,” that JOY often rushes right past us.

How do we stop rushing after worldly pleasures and rather find joy, claim it and truly enjoy the moments? It takes a conscious effort for most of us, but it can be done!

Many of us will “spring clean” our homes; why not fling open the windows of our hearts and “spring clean” our souls? We just might find JOY in the process!

We need to first begin by slowing down. That is easier said than done!

We all live in a hurried world that demands from us all we have to give. Meditation and quiet time, when not a priority, fall to the bottom of the list and we then work the day on the world’s time and human purposes, not God’s. So, first, set aside time that is yours and God’s alone. Find a devotional that works for you and immerse yourself in His word. Habits take time and resist getting discouraged or detracted from this priority. Commit this new season, this new year, to carving out daily time for you and God. If He is your best friend, treat Him as you would a friend that you meet daily for coffee. You wouldn’t miss it!

Many of us grew up saying rote prayers or attending church on a weekly basis and unfortunately never cultivated a “real relationship” with our God. A friendship wouldn’t last long if one of the friends was continually making excuses as to why they didn’t have time to talk, would it? Thankfully, God is always willing and waiting for us to pull up a chair and have a talk.

Don’t limit yourself to traditional prayer time either. Incorporate prayer into all aspects of your day. Have a continual conversation with God. If you have an infant who is up regularly at night, seize the darkness and quiet. If you exercise, resist the temptation to turn on the television while you treadmill. Instead download an audio devotional and reflect and pray as you workout. If you journal, jot down daily prayers that you keep handy. It’s all conversation, no matter the time or place, and it’s in going to the source of all JOY that we’ll begin to slow down, “spring cleaning” our hearts and then hearing what HE has to say.

Joy often rushes past when we forget gratitude.

It’s so easy to immerse ourselves in the daily grind and let opportunities for gratitude pass by without acting on them. When we begin to take notice of the blessings in our lives, from large to small, we begin to refocus on savoring rather than rushing. Just the word savor conjures up images that are completely opposite of rushing. Savoring life begins with gratitude and it’s in that gratitude that we’ll begin to experience full joy, from the inside out.

Smiling is an expression that inner peace coming out! Monitor your smiles for a few days. Those of us who are rushing after pleasure are likely not smiling as much as those of us who are savoring the moments. One of the great poets of our time, Maya Angelou, reflects:

“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you LOVE. Don’t be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning ‘Good Morning’ at total strangers.”

It begins with God and is already resident in our hearts and in our homes. The joy we seek is right in our midst. We’ve got to open WIDE the windows, let in the fresh spring air and turn our hearts to the greatest “spring cleaner” of all! When we do, we’ll no long rush after pleasures, but rather savor the moments, in all of their simplicity.

The joy that Paul spoke to the Colossians about;

“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
Colossians 1:11

The demands of life will still demand, but we’ll have a new perspective, a renewed purpose and a grateful, peaceful spirit. It’s then that we’ll truly find JOY!

Lori is a 5 year homeschool mom to 3. Currently a 8th grader, a 6th grader and a 4th grader. Lori insists that when she was wrestling with the decision to home school, a gentle voice guided her with the words, “you know what you should do.” Never looking back, accepting the challenges and rewards and CONSTANTLY clinging to THE ROCK…”No Storm can shake my inmost calm when to this ROCK I’m clinging.” Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give.

Tags: christian living, Christian Women, devotional, Encouragement, gratitude, Joy, meditation, prayer, quiet time with God, Scripture, spring cleaning

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