Finding Joy

Advent is a time for preparing our hearts and homes for Jesus. I don’t want it to be about hurriedly buying gifts, hastily baking cookies and squeezing events into an already bulging calendar. Instead of purposefully preparing for Jesus, I end up trying to survive with a smile. Not this year.

Coming off a busy fall, I found myself anticipating this slightly slower month more than ever. Writing the Holiday Wellness Plan, helped me to refine and clarify how to choose a different path this season. I want a path of wellness in soul, mind, and body, not just survival.

find-your-joy-in-jesusSo for this Advent and Christmas, I’m purposefully choosing to reflect, refresh and renew. I’m taking my own advice to be well and find my joy again.

It’s time to regroup. Time to pick up the things and people missed while trying to juggle all the balls of my life. Time to reassess, be still, enjoy the wonder and find the joy of simply being present. I long to be in and feel not only God’s presence but those of whom I love and dare to reach out to with God’s love.

Not only will I prepare my heart and home for Jesus, but also what my next steps on this journey to follow His footprints might be. I can plan but God directs my path. But lately, it’s been more me than Him at times. I want to quiet myself to hear His whispers in my life. I challenge you to do the same.

Join Jill Hoven for an Advent Bible Study on Jesus, The Light of the World.Let’s reflect on where God has taken us literally and figuratively. Let’s refresh our souls with His Word, our mind with His plans and our body with rest and choosing wisely. Let’s renew our commitment to follow His footprints more than those of this world. Let’s find our joy this Advent and allow it to transport us into a new year.

I’m not leaving. I still have plans for us here each week. But know I’ll be heeding my own Holiday Wellness Plan to ensure this Christmas season leaves me and those around me renewed with His love. Let’s find the joy He came to give us and cherish each moment along the way.

Hope you enjoy this Advent Bible study in this season! Click here -> for Light of the World Advent Bible Study

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Linking up with Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart, Crystal Storms at #HeartEncouragement, Deb Wolf at #FaithnFriends , Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday and Suzie Eller at #livefree.

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16 thoughts on “Finding Joy”

  1. Specifically purposeful post for this season, and for always, actually! How easily we lose sight of why we are “supposed” to be doing something this way or that, but by being focused on the One Who created us, the One Who calls us to His way, then we will be alright.

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  2. Great reminders. I love the refreshing our souls with the Word, minds with His plans, and bodies with wise choices. It’s a good well-rounded commitment to joy this season!

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  3. Quiet ourselves and hear His whispers in our life….ahh..yes! I want this also Jill. As I am anticipating the arrival of my son from China in two weeks, I have a new appreciation for this “anticipation” of Advent that I have never had before. I want to experience every moment and take it all in because of the gift it truly is – apart from all the decorating and baking and wrapping. Thank you for helping us enjoy just being still!

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    • You’re welcome, I pray we can all quiet ourselves long enough to hear His still small voice whispering to us. Enjoy your anticipation and time with your son!

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  4. Amen! I did a life plan earlier this year, and it really helped me understand how I should be spending my time if I want certain results. Spending time on spiritual and physical health are very important for me if I want to be well and have time for family, work, and friends :). May God bless you during this season of wellness and good choices!

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    • A life plan sounds very interesting Anita and yes, I’m all about wellness in soul, mind and body! God’s blessings to you as well this Christmas season!

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  5. “But lately, it’s been more me than Him at times. I want to quiet myself to hear His whispers in my life. I challenge you to do the same.” This absolutely resonated with me. Thank you for your encouragement in our wellness journey! Time to be still and listen. And thank you for linking up with #FridayFive.

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