Deleise – I know. The Luther face kind of cracks me up. I’m not telling.

Wendy – Thanks so much for that insight. I appreciate your input as you are further along in the journey than I am, and so you’re probably seeing fruit I don’t see yet. I think while joy is a choice, it’s a choice we sometimes just can’t make unless we ask God to enable us to make it. Joy rarely seems to come in my own power.

Amber – I love when reading someone else’s writing inspires my own. That’s how it should be. Take your own meaning from it and go share your own story. I love that!

Thank you to everyone else for commenting. I’m glad you have seen God move in your own life in such a way and/or I’m glad this was helpful to remind you that God is available to helps us find joy.

God please help us to allow your Spirit to move freely through us. Please give us joy in our homes. Let it overflow out into our friendships and interactions with others. Please don’t let us inhibit joy by trying to force it in our own power. We want what You have for us, even if we aren’t quite sure how to accept it, even if it feels awkward or uncomfortable or like we’re giving up control. Still we choose your way, your Spirit, your joy! Amen.

Now, at 14, 12 and 10, I rarely have to tell them to, even though we’ve hit the teen years! Side note: I, on the other hand, was not trained so well, and frequently have to find it myself. They have earned the right to gently remind me to do so, and it works.