Rejoice

For the past few days I keep seeing one word. I've seen it on facebook, I've been hearing it, and then this morning I see it in the scripture that went with my devotion. I believe this is God trying to convey this message to me. It's one I need, that's for sure.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says:
"Rejoice Always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

My word of the day? REJOICE!

I need to rejoice in all things, everyday. Even when trials come my way, or I'm having a bad day, it's time to rejoice. This message couldn't come at a better time for me. I know in my head what I should be doing, but my heart just won't get there sometimes. I get hurt, I feel betrayed, I feel worthless and even lonely. But these are just feelings that can pass as easily as a cloud in the sky. It's the truths of God that will stay forever, and in this I can truly rejoice.

I know there are things in your life that you can rejoice about. Things can be falling apart, and you will still have something to rejoice about. Do you have a home to live in? Do you have family to stand by your side no matter what? If you have nothing here on earth you feel you can rejoice about, remember that you always have a heavenly Father that loves you so much, He sent His own son to die on the cross to pay for your sins. Now that's something to truly rejoice about!

There's even a Bible song that I remember singing as a child that drives the point home:

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.

A Note from a "Frumpy Housewife"

It's crazy how much you just don't get to when you have a toddler running around the house. Goodness me, if only they would share a portion of that energy with their parents. The days can get to feeling like the same old thing every single day. It's so easy to think you just aren't "doing" anything with your time.

My biggest struggle is just getting dressed in the morning. It's so much easier to just stay in my jammies, throw my hair in a ponytail, and call it good. This causes me to feel like I've fallen into the rut of being what I stereotypically think of as a "frumpy housewife". Do I enjoy viewing myself as this? No, I absolutely dislike this side of me. So what can I do about it? I've found that if I just make a tiny effort like getting dressed, and even putting on a small amount of make-up (some foundation and blush is all), I feel so much better about my day and about myself.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says: "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (NASB)

This means that no matter what we do with our day, we need to do it all for God. It doesn't matter if we are a woman who goes to work and makes big executive decisions or we are a woman who stays home with her children, changes diapers, makes meals/snacks, and cleans up the never-ending messes. It's all to be done with the Joy of the Lord. He's called you to this place, at this time, and the work you do is important to Him.