Friday, October 5, 2012

Faithful Friday - "Happiness versus Joy"

Good morning! It’s Friday! Everybody loves Fridays! This particular Friday we’ve been really looking forward to because we’re taking a mini vacation to Richie and Missy’s house (my brother and sister-in-law) and hope to take that Amish tour! 


Friday is also a day my daughter, Joy, and I have set aside for Faithful Fridays. It’s a day to share our Christian faith……well, every day is a day to do that, but we wanted to specifically set aside one day a week to make a point of sharing. Joy started it a few years ago. We invite you to join us!

Yesterday as I waited in the car for Joy, I picked up her devotion book she had brought along with her, “Jesus Calling – 365 Devotions for Kids”.



There’s also an adult version, but the kid version is wonderful, even for adults! I like the simple, down to earth language.  :)  Anyway, yesterday’s devotion really hit home and I wanted to share bits of it with you.

Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling.
1 Chronicles 16:27 (NIV)

Happines and joy are not the same thing.

Happiness depends on this world, on what is going on around you. Happiness depends on everything being just right…..like when you’re headed for that long-time anticipated vacation or you’ve just gotten a promotion at work, etc…. Happiness is wonderful, but it lasts only a little while.

But joy – true joy – is something entirely different. Joy doesn’t depend on this world or whether you’re having a good day; it depends on God. Joy is knowing God is in control and that He loves you and will take care of you – even when your family can’t afford that vacation or you don’t get that promotion. God asks us to stay close to Him and he’ll give us His Joy in every situation!

I don’t know about you, but that’s what I want…..joy that comes only from God…..overflowing bubbling joy.

That reminds me of something else. One day (a few years ago) as we walked in Walmart, we noticed that the greeter’s name was Joy. I commented to her that that was my daughter’s name who was standing there beside me. She smiled and put her arm around Joy and bent down to her level and told her they shared a very special name and asked Joy did she know what it stood for?   (I was just as interested in hearing what she was going to say).   And this is what she said:

J. Jesus first.
O. Others second.
Y. Yourself last.

I will never forget it and really that is an excellent definition of joy because if we put Jesus first and get everything in the above order, we will find true joy that comes only from God!

Thank you for joining me today for Faithful Friday. I know (my daughter) Joy would love for you to stop by and visit her too. And if you’d like to participate, you can link up with her here.

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I have to show you what arrived in the mail for me yesterday. It came from JoAnn of Sweet Pepper Rose. This is actually the second time she’s sent something my way. She is a sweet lady, and VERY TALENTED too.



These are made from Paulownia seed pods! Just look at the detail and time that went into that! And she painted them red!  Red.....my favorite!  I can’t wait to hang these on my Christmas tree. Okay, okay, I’m not rushing Christmas here…..I’m still enjoying fall, but really I will be honored to hang these on my tree! Thank you so much, JoAnn!

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And last of all, I want to share another fall photo for Sandra's 31 days of fall challenge:


The above picture was taken by a friend of mine, Kim.  Kim, a homeschooling mom,  is the photographer for our homeschool group.  I just love this photo that was taken last year about this time!  This one definitely says fall.....and love!  :)


♥ Tammy ♥

13 comments:

Holly said...

Enjoyed your post today. Our pastor just preached a sermon on this very topic a few Sundays ago. I had never really thought of happiness and joy in that way but it was really an eye opener. Thanks for sharing! Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Trace4J said...

JOY JOY JOY!
I love everything about it.
God is soo good.
I too love this post.
Have a safe wonderful weekend.
Blessings
Trace

www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

cucki said...

yup..
full of joy..i love your sweet post so much..so much fun to read your cutest posts..
have a lovely friday..
hugs cucki xx

Lois Christensen said...

I have so enjoyed catching up with your blog! Your photos are so beautiful. Love that Joy is so interested in a different culture. Maybe she'll be a missionary one day? Enjoy your trip and your weekend.

JoAnn SweetPepperRose said...

What a wonderful meaning to JOY, and to come from a child ;-)
Now I'll have to borrow that meaning add that to my J O Y photo post.
Have a great weekend!

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mama,

Good post! I want that joy, too. :)

Love that picture--Luke looks so sweet! Lol, he is sweet. :P

Thank you for participating in Faithful Fridays! Love you! 8!

Love,
Joy :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post for Faithful Friday. Hope you guys enjoy a fantastic weekend. Love the sweet fall photo and JoAnn is a sweetheart.

Blessed Beyond said...

wonderful post my sweet friend!!!! It's full of Joy and a great reminder to us all what Joy should really be! The photo is precious!!!!

Hugs and Blessings,

ohiofarmgirl said...

Great picture. Thanks for stopping by! As far as the shutter..no couldn't get the glue off. I have that set in the shed...trying to decide what I will use them for.. Thanks Dianntha

Chenille Cottage said...

Such a precious post...with your darling Joy snuggling her baby brother.
The motto that I love to share with others is "CHOOSE JOY"!
Life is so much sweeter when we make that choice and, especially, when times are rough.
Blessings, my dear sister in Christ.
Carolynn xoxo

Pendleton Primitives said...

Just finished catching up on your blog. Your kids are so cute. Have fun on the Amish tour.
~Christina

Tina Leigh said...

Wow! Pretty powerful devotion! And what a remarkable statement that lady made to your daughter about their name!!! Joy is an important aspect of being a Christian.

Love love the picture! Have I told you my precious grandson's name is Luke? If you think of, pray for protection over my Luke. Thanks.

Paula said...

This was wonderful, Tammy! I had never thought about there being such b big difference between happiness and joy, but you are so right.
Those ornaments are going to look so pretty on your tree.... just another excuse to put it up early. *wink*
And I loved the last picture so much~ that is the sweetest thing ever! :)