Choosing Joy

This week I studied a few things to begin my new year:

• His love
• Joy
• Faith
• Attitude
• Trials
• Worship
• Trust

Each day I studied up on these with the help of author Sarah Young in her book, "Jesus Lives". I have read her first book, "Jesus Calling" and wanted to read her other devotional books. This one is turning out to be just as good and I am enjoying reading it every morning. 

I love the way that she writes her books - it is as if Jesus is talking to me. The way she writes each devotion is as if they are His words. It is so comforting reading a passage that I need to hear, and it being as if Jesus is telling me these things Himself. So wonderful. 

~*~

This is the first year that I have started as a mother. So many things are different in my life and the way I see the world and my relationships are so different. Reading about life is from a different perspective. 

Reading on His love is something that I see as a model for my love as a mother. Steady, strong, unconditional. I can relate now. 

The rest are all put into perspective as well: joy, faith, attitude, trials, worship and trust. I was reminded that joy is a choice. I can do this moment-by-moment and must choose to do so. And faith, attitude and trust is a choice as well. I can choose to have faith in God even when things seem uncertain. But having faith in Him that He can make sense of the confusing...I choose to hold onto that. 

Today I am working on attitude. It has been a hard day with baby C. He fights sleep and is needing mommy a lot. I am trying to choose joy. After all, it is a wonderful thing to have a baby need you. It is wonderful to cuddle and hold him. I know there will be a time when he won't want that anymore. Choosing joy today is a tough one, but I praise Jesus for my precious bundle!