–verb (used with object)
| 1. | to experience with joy; take pleasure in: He enjoys Chinese food. |
| 2. | to have and use with satisfaction; have the benefit of: He enjoys an excellent income from his trust funds. |
| 3. | to find or experience pleasure for (oneself): She seems to enjoy herself at everything she does. |
| 4. | to undergo (an improvement): Automobile manufacturers have enjoyed a six-percent rise in sales over the past month. |
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME enjoyen to make joyful < OF enjoier to give joy to. See en-1, joy
]
The retreat we went to in June (see post below) had for its theme the word "Joy." I have to admit. I was so overwhelmed with the stress of daily life that I quite frankly resented that word!
At that time, I had no idea what joy even felt like. Twelve years of raising children with autism, and 16 years of raising a son with other mental issues had stretched me past my stretching point. I was numb. I had no joy. How dare anyone try to push such an idea onto me! I had earned my numbness. I needed it in order to survive.
The Lord has been dealing with me about this this month. I have had time to take a good look at my life and I am guilty of not enjoying it. I am not ungrateful for what God has given me. I am blessed beyond measure and I know that. But my body and my mind and my spirit were dry. I was empty. I was giving out and giving out and giving out so much that I had nothing more to give anyone and least of all myself.
It's difficult for me to be spontaneous. But I do believe that God has called us to enjoy our life. Our lives are a gift. And we need to stop once in awhile and make ourselves have some fun. I need to make myself get on my motorcycle even when it's hot and I don't feel like it. I think it will fill up my cup.
I need to enjoy each moment. When the kids were little, I could do that. I'd make up things to celebrate and I had the energy to do it with them. Now it is all I can do just to survive lunch.
I told the Lord today that I didn't think I could do this life thing, leave alone this joy thing for 25 more years. I think I could hear him laugh. And then I believe He impressed on me that He wasn't asking me to do it for 25 more years. He was just asking me to do it for the next 25 seconds.
And I have a feeling that if I can take this idea of joy and use it for 25 seconds through putting praise on my lips instead of despair, that eventually I will be stronger and maybe, just maybe I will be able to see myself doing it for the next 25 minutes. Maybe those 25 minutes will turn into 25 hours, and those hours to 25 days. The days will turn to weeks and the weeks to years. Maybe, just maybe, if I have the courage to practice joy for the next 25 seconds, one day I will truly experience the peace and strength that the joy of Christ brings.
]The retreat we went to in June (see post below) had for its theme the word "Joy." I have to admit. I was so overwhelmed with the stress of daily life that I quite frankly resented that word!
At that time, I had no idea what joy even felt like. Twelve years of raising children with autism, and 16 years of raising a son with other mental issues had stretched me past my stretching point. I was numb. I had no joy. How dare anyone try to push such an idea onto me! I had earned my numbness. I needed it in order to survive.
The Lord has been dealing with me about this this month. I have had time to take a good look at my life and I am guilty of not enjoying it. I am not ungrateful for what God has given me. I am blessed beyond measure and I know that. But my body and my mind and my spirit were dry. I was empty. I was giving out and giving out and giving out so much that I had nothing more to give anyone and least of all myself.
It's difficult for me to be spontaneous. But I do believe that God has called us to enjoy our life. Our lives are a gift. And we need to stop once in awhile and make ourselves have some fun. I need to make myself get on my motorcycle even when it's hot and I don't feel like it. I think it will fill up my cup.
I need to enjoy each moment. When the kids were little, I could do that. I'd make up things to celebrate and I had the energy to do it with them. Now it is all I can do just to survive lunch.
I told the Lord today that I didn't think I could do this life thing, leave alone this joy thing for 25 more years. I think I could hear him laugh. And then I believe He impressed on me that He wasn't asking me to do it for 25 more years. He was just asking me to do it for the next 25 seconds.
And I have a feeling that if I can take this idea of joy and use it for 25 seconds through putting praise on my lips instead of despair, that eventually I will be stronger and maybe, just maybe I will be able to see myself doing it for the next 25 minutes. Maybe those 25 minutes will turn into 25 hours, and those hours to 25 days. The days will turn to weeks and the weeks to years. Maybe, just maybe, if I have the courage to practice joy for the next 25 seconds, one day I will truly experience the peace and strength that the joy of Christ brings.
Posted by 
Posted by 
Posted by 
