Unconditional Joy

Son#2 is getting married. Next week! I get to welcome a new daughter into my family. But really, I welcomed her as my daughter the day I met her in July. I loved her from the minute I met her. Because my son loves her. Because she loves him. Because I saw first hand how she brings out this joy in him that I hadn’t seen in many years, a child like joy. My heart nearly burst with happiness to see this side of him again.

I recently shared with my son that I knew from the minute he asked her on their first date that she was going to be his wife. I just knew. I knew before he knew. I prayed like crazy for the Lord to make this happen and he heard my prayers and said YES.

I am thrilled for her to be part of my family, to get to know her over the lifetime she will spend with us, to love her unconditionally, to bless her unconditionally, to make sacrifices for her unconditionally. I get to be a new mom, to a grown up daughter. My Dilly. I am so blessed!

‘And standing beside you, glistening in your pure and golden glory, is the beautiful bride-to-be! Now listen, daughter, pay attention, and forget about your past. Put behind you every attachment to the familiar, even those who once were close to you! For your royal Bridegroom is ravished by your beautiful brightness. Bow in reverence before him, for he is your Lord! Wedding presents pour in from those of great wealth. The royal friends of the Bridegroom shower you with gifts. As the princess bride enters the palace, how glorious she appears within the holy chamber, robed with a wedding dress embroidered with pure gold! Lovely and stunning she leads the procession with all her bridesmaids as they come before you, her Bridegroom King. What a grand, majestic entrance! A joyful, glad procession as they enter the palace gates! Your many sons will one day be kings, just like their Father. They will sit on royal thrones all around the world. I will make sure the fame of your name is honored in every generation as all the people praise you, giving you thanks forever and ever!’ Psalms 45:9-17 

Unconditional, fantastical, marvelous joy!

~m

FiveMinuteFriday_Joy

GO

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. So they say. For those caught up in the American Christmas culture, it’s the most stressful. Some years are better. Some years are worse. I’m happy to report I’m having a joyful Christmas season. 

You see, I broke my ankle 2 weeks ago. What!? Yup. Slipped on a perfectly smooth and nearly level granite boulder while doing my favorite thing with my favorite people, hiking. Oh, I confess I was initially panick stricken. Filled with hows and whys and what ifs. 

But God. 

God got me off the mountain by helicopter free of charge. Yes I said helicopter and free. God made sure I had the best surgeon. Yes there was surgery. God made sure I could have the facility I work in cover their fee as a benefit for being their employee.  God made sure all the people I owe money were filled with compassion and understanding to accept my bills would be paid late. God has been providing meals for me from my church family. God is making sure my company will hold my job until I’m mobile again. He’s been in every detail. Speaking love to me. Saying, “You only need to sit back and watch while I take of everything Michelle.”

So yeah. JOY! This Christmas is going down in my history as one of the best. I’m so humbled and thankful and in awe of my Father! 

Joy to the world 🌎 the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King 👑 

STOP

Happy FiveMinuteFriday!

11.07.15

“Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NCV‬‬

The joy set before him. Do you know you are the joy? I am the joy. We are the joy!

I don’t think I ever realized that until the other day. I was listening to Tim Keller’s podcast on the way to work. He was teaching from this passage of scripture. 

Oh how I love my Jesus. 

Everything I do now is out of my love for Jesus. He is the joy set before me. I am his and he is mine. 

Do you know this kind of joy? I sure hope you do. 

Happy Saturday!

Joining Barbie.