Joy

This past week, I have been overwhelmed with joy. It's honestly silly how much joy my heart has felt! Even though I was sick for a few days, I had beautiful conversations with friends, the weather was lovely, spent time with family, had an amazing first wedding anniversary, and started this week out with an interview!

When you have a week like that, it's easy to feel joy...it's easy to be happy...it's easy to be thankful. This week was different though! I have never felt joy like this. I can honestly say, I believe it's because I have been utterly changed by the gospel the past few months. The real, raw, grace-giving, gospel.

Even though I have been a Christian since I was six, God has revealed himself to me in unbelievable ways the past five years, and most recently moving to Chattanooga and becoming a part of Sojourn Community Church. This growth process has been the hardest, yet easiest and most amazing process of my life. It's been beautiful and ugly at times. I've laughed, cried, rejoiced, and down right wanted to go back to childhood! All that said...I would never go back to the selfish, self-righteous, unloving, legalistic, fake person that I was. I look back and see what I missed, BUT I've realized what I have gained. I have gained the selfless, loving, merciful, grace-giving gospel! And for that reason, I am filled up to my eyeballs with joy! Not just because of circumstances, not just because of blessings, but because of the freedom and love that I have welling up inside of me. Joy goes deep. Joy can be there in any and all circumstances...good and bad...it's different from happiness. It is content and lasting!

This joy and gospel has even transformed my marriage. Since our anniversary was yesterday, I'm still thinking about our journey this past year. I can't help but be thankful for everything...for every fight, meal prepared, date, kiss, late-night talk, and the list goes on and on! I can't help but think how different our marriage would be without our growth. I've learned that the same gospel that I live every day needs to be lived out in my marriage. Meaning, I need to show my hubby the same grace that Christ shows me. I need to love him as he is. I don't need to change him. God created him and loving him flaws and all is true, Christ-filled love! I am so blessed and grateful that he loves me in those ways.  He is a gift and boy do I love him! It also needs to be lived out in all relationships! We were created to be relational! They are hard at times and you have to work at them, but that is okay! We aren't perfect...and no one else is either! Loving people well in that imperfection is part of being changed by the true gospel. THAT gives me joy!

Oh friends, I pray that you find this joy...for you to be utterly changed...for you to accept, live, and share the grace that can be given to you by Christ!

And here's a little peek from our anniversary weekend! It was so fun being tourists in Nashville! Happy Anniversary (one day after), sweet husband :) You're my favorite!