Joy

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

I am sitting right here in James this week, and I don't have to read very far into it to feel like I need to linger here for a long, long time.

If you've been reading me very long you'll now that joy is one of the hardest things to have. Finding it? It's elusive. Keeping it? It's slippery. I struggle with joy.

I do love my family more than my underlying lack of joy would have you believe. My husband is a wonderful man that routinely does the most amazing things for me just to bring a smile to my face. My children are happy and healthy. We have a great extended family.

Trials-I used to think of them as the BIG STUFF. You know what I'm talking about without even having to say it. I am so blessed to not have big stuff (so far) in my life. I have made so many friends through church, school, even this blog, that have had to step up to the plate for the big stuff, that I, in many ways cannot even comprehend what they have gone through. What they go through on a daily basis. What is my problem when compared to what other's do every day?

But that's the mistake when reading this passage. My mistake. My trials are not your trials. My internal trials are hard-for me. I really need to find- count! the joy in every frustration that I have, every day.

Dirty socks that don't hit the basket? At least I'm blessed to have socks and a basket. AND a floor for them to hit.

Dinner is later than I would have wanted? I am so thankful that we have food on our table, in abundance, when there are many others that have less... or none.

Whining during homework? I have children. They are healthy.

I want the joy. I want it deep in my soul. I want the trials that I face to end up reflecting the joy that God has for all of us when we believe and linger in Him. I don't want to miss one moment on this earth that could be- no, CAN BE joy.

So I'm going to read James this week, this month. Soak it into my soul. And find the joy.