It’s Friday which means I am joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Many of us writing on that same word.
Today’s prompt is … Joy.
Joy – often defined as the deep seated emotion of delight we feel that is not based on our circumstances.
Our lights and tree went up early this year. For reasons I cannot explain, my desire was for Christmas to be lengthier and for that to be, our decorations needed to come out and up sooner than usual.
The old carol reminds us “to prepare Him room.” Perhaps that is the very way to experience joy as well.
We prepare for Him. In the pulling out of our manger. As the lights go up. Candles in the windows. Wreath over the fireplace. We stage our homes and then wait.
My heart has been full and yes, joy has so filled a space in my heart and mind. As we ate dinner in front of our fire last night, overwhelming joy was present. The deep seated awareness that we have been blessed. God has been faithful.
There is something to be said for the preparations and the wait. It is in the wait that we become more aware of Who we are waiting. Our hearts become enlarged. We want to give as much as we have been given.
Sitting with Christmas music softly playing, the sweet smell of cinnamon from the candle filling the room, Scriptures come to mind:
“I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10, NIV)
The joy comes from remaining in Him, in preparing Him room in our hearts:
“I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete.” (John 15:11, NIV)
Joy is found in a Person.
May we prepare room for Jesus.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith Filled Friday and Faith ‘N Friends and #FreshMarketFriday and #DanceWithJesus .
So many out their decorations up early this year … I think you’re right … because we are desperate for the hope of Christ more so now than ever. This has been an extra-sweet Christmas season for me, and it does fill my heart with joy. Glad to be your neighbor at Deb’s.
Diane, it has been eye opening to me to realize how many prepared for Christmas early. It made me realize how much we all long for an answer, the Savior, to come. May you & yours have a blessed Christmas, holding onto the sweetness and joy He brings!
HEY I’m your neighbour in FMF#16, truth found in your words here today. Glad I stopped by. 🙂
Grateful you did 🙂 May you and yours have a blessed Christmas!
Not sure how you’re doing it, Joanne, but every day I’m finding an Advent post that makes the season come alive for me. Thanks for the effort and energy here.
Michele, thank you as your words mean a lot to me. This has been the first year in many, if not ever, that I began “preparing Him room” the weekend after Thanksgiving. I truly think that has made the difference for me. Intentional. Focused. Early. This may now be my new tradition 🙂 Blessings, sweet friend!
Yesterday, we had a friend in crisis. But throughout a day of service and prayer, I could still feel God’s joy. Thanks for the reminder of where our strength comes from!
Helene, you made a powerful point here. In serving our God, even in times of crisis, we find strength and joy. It all comes down to letting Him be our focus. Thank you!
Well-written five minute post, Joanne! Thanks for sharing it on #countingmyblessings.
Much appreciated, Sarah.
JOY is the one word I chose to focus on in 2016. What a perfect blog for me as I finish the year. “The joy comes…from preparing his rooms in our hearts.” I will keep this with the things I have learned this year. Thank you Joanne!
Angela, I so appreciated your comment. It is amazing how He enlarges our hearts to receive even more. May I ask … have you picked a word for 2017 yet? I do one word as well and am still contemplating two 🙂 I need to narrow it down soon. Blessings to you and yours!
Can you tell I’m catching up with some reading this morning! I love this post on JOY.