Will You Choose Joy or Defeat?

Little eyes stare up at me, her head is hot and feverish and she’s thirsty. With her lamby lovie in one arm and her purple blanket in the other she heads to the couch to get some rest and drink from her sippie. I lay a cold wash cloth on her head and the dimple gleams for a moment “thank you mommy.” She chooses joy.

Little eyes stare up at me as he begs to play monopoly. Exhausted I answer, “Not tonight dear”. Son’s countenance falls…my heart feels heavy too – “go get the game.” We play, we laugh, we love. We choose joy.

Leader husband is weary…problems, troubles, burdens and cares bring hardship in his work. We cannot lift his burdens for him – he must carry them on his own. But he is not alone. Little hugs and kisses, cuddles and cards are made – he chooses joy.

How do we stand the hardships of life? How do we as weary moms and wives help those in our home as they face their own hardships? We have weary pilgrims in our house who need comfort, rest, love and a replenishing of spirits. We must role model defiant joy! We must choose joy and smile despite our feelings of defeat at times..
We have the power to bring joy to our entire family.

As I walked along outside in the cold last week – something beautiful caught my eye. My hydrangea was blooming – yes, it was nearly December in Ohio and one little bloom was fighting to survive. As a matter of fact it seemed defiant. In the midst of hardship, even snow – that bloom smiled and glistened in the November chill! Oh to be strong like this bloom. To be able to smile in the face of hardship.

We do have a choice – will you choose joy or defeat? On our own – we will be defeated. But when we walk with the King – Romans 8:37 tells us: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”


As I grabbed my camera to capture this bloom with definat joy – it winked at me and whispered, “see me, I can rise up and sparkle in the sunshine despite the fact that I am surrounded by trouble and death. You can too!”

Walk with the King,

17 Comments

  1. Thanks Courtney! Great thoughts today, and what a neat illustration with you Dec blooming hydrangea!!

    love ya!
    Aimee

  2. Wow, that is amazing how the hydrangea is blooming! 😀 I choose joy today! 😀

    LOVE your post!

    Have a great week! 😀
    Sherry

  3. THANK YOU for the reminder that when things get rough, we still have a choice. I worry that my family is about to encounter some rough waters, and I have to admit I'm losing sleep over it (over something that may or may not happen). Thank you for reminding me that even in the midst of the storm, I can still choose joy. You are a blessing!

  4. I have just recently found your blog and I want you to know that I am so thankful for it! Today's post met me right where I am at! As a stay at home mom with a husband who has to work a lot, 2 busy kiddos 3 and 1 and a third on the way it is easy to want to sulk! But, I need to choose joy! For myself and for the ones that count on me! I am so thankful that through Jesus Christ I can choose joy in EVERY situation!

  5. Courtney…..I love this!! I tell my children that they can choose to be angry or happy, but I never eally listen to my own preaching. How much more happiness would we have as a family if "Mom" followed this?!!

    P.S. I have directed ALL of my friends and sisters to your facebook page and this blog. You don't know how many people you bless. Thank you.

  6. If we don't praise the Lord, creation declares His goodness for us! Your hydrangea was doing a great job. 🙂

    Choosing joy today,
    Julie

  7. Wow! I have been struggling with how to support my husband right now, who is so beaten down by life. His mother is on her death bed and his workload is heavier this month than it ever has been. He is so defeated. This post gave me renewed determination to be a bright spot in his life and shine with the joy of the Lord. Hopefully it will rub off on him
    and be a comfort to him! -Megan D.

  8. Love the photo.

    I just wanted to let you know that I saw you on Rachel Ray, and said to myself finally, someone who is proud to be a homemaker. Then glanced at her blog, and found that you had answered someone there, and found your blog from there. Each morning, I've been stopping by, and I'm so thankful for your blog.

    Warmly – Mary

  9. Wow! That was just what I needed to hear today. I have been choosing defeat much more than joy lately. Thanks for sharing that and blessing me and my family:)
    Love you!

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