Joy Through Everyday, Trying Times

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-3, NIV.

As keepers of the home-front, we ladies are often bombarded on every side by the daily challenges of our family and homes. Blowing noses, cleaning up after little ones, washing clothes and laundry, homeschooling. The list could go on without end.

But life - and its challenges - are not always what they seem. For spiritual things are often invisible and/or intertwined with the natural realm. And yet, God sees it all from a different perspective. Shall we try?

The Lord has given us ladies the responsibility of raising the next generation of godly adults. As wives and mothers, we teach by both instruction and example. Our example of godly living, however, speaks more loudly to our children than what we say. So we want to show them how to serve God in everyday situations as often - or even more often - than we set them down to teach godliness.

You have heard that actions speak louder than words? This is so true. But our everyday actions work very well as a teaching mechanism for adults and future adults.

If we are grumbling and complaining through our daily chores, our children learn that daily tasks bring us sadness, not joy. But if we care for our home and family with the joy of the Lord in our hearts and minds, they will not only see that there is joy in doing our chores. They will also see there is joy in serving God.

OK, how does this work our real lives? Let me try to explain.

Until just recently, I had never found joy - or even happiness - in being a homemaker. But last December the Lord introduced me to a new thought, that of joyfully caring for my home and family. This being a very new concept for me, I have not perfected it yet. But the more that I practice joy in my daily tasks, the more joyful I become. This works much like a saying they use in many workplaces today, “fake it until you make it.”

I know that it sounds like I do a lot of faking when need to I complete my chores, and at this time I really do. But when we practice joy, we create a memory muscle.

Think of it like this, when we want to become stronger in our bodies, we practice exercises to strengthen our muscles. Likewise, when we want to strengthen our ‘joy muscles,’ we need to practice being joyful. Joy is a choice we must make in order to be joyful.

Our text above was written about 2000 years ago by the Apostle James. When he wrote his book, James didn’t know many of the things we face on a daily basis, so he spoke of the things that he knew. That said, let’s take another look at the verses … from a mother’s point of view.

How I interpret our joyful passage:

Consider it pure joy, a delightful gift of God, when you are challenged by lego blocks under your feet in the hall in the wee hours of the morning, you find 15 more loads of clothes to wash and thought you were caught up, you have six kids (+/-) in various stages of the flu and hubby has brought home unexpected guests for dinner again. For you know that these everyday, seemingly insignificant, trials will build your faith with their testing. And faith will bring with it stamina and dedication in your walk with God. So let this dedication and stamina complete its work in you so that you will be the mature lady of God that He has created you to be.

There is a very simple acrostic for JOY that gives a good definition and fits well here. I first learned it while in High School as it was on a plaque on the wall in our Church’s Young People's’ Room, it is as follows:

Jesus first
  Others next
   Yourself last

So, the next time you find yourself wanting to grumble about the 20th load of laundry - or stepping on the 100th ‘Hot Wheels’ car in the front room - today, think about reviving the joy of the Lord in your heart and life. Remember this mother’s translation of our James passage, then speak joy to the situation (and those seeing you handle it). Sing songs of joy to the Lord. And Find Your Joy!

Until next time!
Leigh