Joy’s Blog

Most of my adult life, regretfully, has been lived in the fast lane… even as I desired to serve God, I was pretty sure that 24 hours was not enough time in the day – until “2014”. That’s what I call the season I came to the very end of myself.

There were several layers of stress, grief and difficulty in that season. One of them was my beloved Aunt Ruth dying in one room of the skilled nursing center and my father in the room next door. For him, he began a long decline and never lived independently afterwards. I had a son deployed with a baby on the way, another son and family living in a country with civil war, a daughter working in a ministry overseas and another daughter preparing to study abroad.  I had so many different emotions – I became numb to them all. I was like a rubber band stretched to its limits and about to snap.

Out of desperation I intentionally sought the practice of solitude. All I knew is that lots of people in the Bible spent time in the “wilderness” and seemed to come out anchored with hope. Besides, there are over 30 references in the gospels of Jesus practicing solitude for rest and prayer.

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:30-31

I was so desperate, I went to a friend’s ranch on a hot August day, sat on a rock and poured out my heart to God and then listened for His voice. And He spoke into my soul.

It was so transformative, I have continued the practice ever since. I am so passionate about accepting Jesus’ invitation to “Come to me…” that I now facilitate solitude retreats on our family’s ranch in North Texas.  What a privilege to create space for others to commune with God in the silence and solitude – away from the distractions and demands of home, work and ministry. I pray that if you aren’t already familiar with this important spiritual practice, that 2022 will be the beginning for you to accept Jesus’ invitation to rest in Him.

As I reflect over last year’s Thanksgiving and holiday season, there is so much to be thankful for! In the hustle and bustle of travel and multiple trips to the grocery store (or deliveries to our door!) it is easy to forget to stop and reflect.

However, it is in this process that we invite God to speak into our lives and circumstances.

Our family has experienced some significant transitions, illnesses, moves and job changes. There have been highs and lows – and we bring it all to God and reflect on His presence in it all.

Otherwise, it is easy to miss it – and isn’t this what Thanksgiving is about?

So, I am praying for you as you read this, that you will make space for a few quiet moments to listen to God, reflect and speak back His goodness that rises up. No matter how large or small your thanksgiving table is this week, lead out in a conversation about God’s blessings in your family – even if there were some hard circumstances along the way. When we stop and reflect – His goodness will surface in our hearts and we can give thanks.

There is such richness in the Nativity Story – the characters involved and circumstances – that I linger when most move on in January. I recently discovered Epiphany (January 6) that recognizes the arrival of the Magi to worship the Christ Child.

In Matthew 2, the Magi have traveled a long distance led by a star, to worship the Child foretold by the prophets, the Messiah, King of the Jews. However, Herod did not welcome this news.

Can you picture Joseph and Mary when the Magi arrived? God continues to reassure the parents – this Child is the Son of God. After their visit and presentation of the extravagant gifts, Joseph was warned to depart immediately for Egypt for Herod planned to kill Jesus.

Ponder this scripture (2:13-18). The parents were aware the most powerful ruler in their region wanted to murder their child. We often leave out the gruesome details of the toddler boys being murdered by a cruel ruler. It doesn’t quite fit in to our holiday scheme, the joyful announcement of the angels and festivities. But it does fit into our current world in December 2021, there are many people who are fearful, anxious and even experiencing trauma from their own life events.

As news travelled to Mary and Joseph of the horrific murder of toddler boys they knew, how did they cope – especially in a foreign land, language and culture? Did the memories of the angels, shepherds and magi worshipping the Son of God give comfort? Did they worship with songs from the psalms – perhaps Psalm 18:1-3?

I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

If you find yourself in a difficult place this new year – fearful, anxious, grieving – we can lean into God and worship Him no matter our circumstances, He is our strength and rock and worthy to be praised.

Remember early spring last year? The strange, new words that popped into our vocabularies: COVID 19, “pandemic”, “social distancing”. It is a snapshot in our global, national and families’ stories. Loss of important celebrations, community, life rhythms of work and school and for many – precious loved ones. How do we grieve – personally and collectively?

Isaiah 43 is such an anchor of truth for me. The beautiful opening verses console me, “Do not fear; I have redeemed you… I have summoned you by name.” Then referencing the surety of passing through rivers and fire (not if!) and his protection.

Although the last year caught many of us by surprise, it did not surprise our sovereign Lord. The verses above seem to jump off the page as an invitation to trust God even deeper with each day’s news and the dissolving familiar rhythms of life. Always the optimist, I am embracing the thought of following God into new directions. I can easily think of a few things I’m ready to forget and leave in the past. But what about the changes that are difficult to accept and release?

I am challenged to “forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” As I ponder the verses, I am tempted to bury the feelings and skip right over to look for the “new thing”. But the feelings keep bubbling up and my mind begins to wander on the puzzling reasons for all the changes. I know this pattern well. To not take notice and invite God into this grief would give access to a bitter root that quickly takes over.

Through conversations with God, I’ve accepted the changes and even see some benefits to the release of “former things”. But even more important, my hands are opening wider to the things God does have for me. I’m slowly wading into the “streams in the wasteland” and into new territory.

What are the old things you sense God is asking you to release? Are you inviting God into the feelings that are associated with the change?