Refresh

July 23, 2012 By

At the beginning of this year, I wrote this post thinking over what I wanted to focus on for this year.  As I am re-evaluating at the “half-way” mark, I thought I would repost it to remind myself of my goals. 

Our family just returned from an amazing family vacation that involved a lot of swimming, eating, and reading.

The Lord knew exactly what I needed to fill my soul…quiet time alone with Him, lots of fun family time, and lots of books.  I have come back with a tan, a full heart, and I feel refreshed for the New Year.

I soaked up Sally’s thoughts in her book, Dancing with My Father, and it touched deep into my soul.  She talked about cultivating joy through a deep relationship with the Father, “Joy is established in the secret places of our heart, where we receive the love of our King and love Him back.“

 So, at the risk of sounding narcissistic {my name is Joy, ya know}, my year is going to be about pursuing joy, true joy, in His presence. “In Your presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11 

And, as an overflow of that, this is a full picture of my hopes for this year…..

I want to…..

Cultivate and Reflect Joy

Create A Life-Giving Home

Be Here and Now

Fill My Soul With Truth, Beauty, and Goodness

Live in Grace

Make Home a Sanctuary

Rest, Enjoy, Quiet

Create a Haven

Pursue Simplicity

Savor the Moments of My Life

Embrace Serving

Worship

Enjoy Stillness

Find the Glorious in the Mundane

Perhaps these things don’t sound very radical, very world-changing, very big and flashy {especially for a missionary!}…. they aren’t.  
But I strongly believe these are the things that will radically change the world.
 
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.“ John 15:5

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Filed Under: contentment, God's word, mothering

23 Comments

  • Thehomespunheart

    So glad you had such a refreshing time away, Joy! I love your thoughts for this year! I’ve often thought of writing my words on rocks and have never done it – now you’ve inspired me! :) Blessings on your day … Love, Monica

  • http://twitter.com/moretobe Lisa

    Beautiful living intentionally pursuits!

  • Stacey

    Would you believe me if I said I had a dollar store silver tray of starfish (like shells) with some Christmas ornaments that are words added in to help remind me of my focus for the new year….grace, joy, and hope? :) I saw you photo and thought how perfect :)

    Love your post. And you know, I think it is radical. Just what Jesus wants!

  • http://beneaththesurface-dawn.blogspot.com/ Dawn Paoletta

    I love the stones!

  • http://likeabubblingbrook.com/ Jaime @ Like a Bubbling Brook

    I’m so glad you had a wonderful vacation!

  • http://profiles.google.com/metzgersix Jenifer Metzger

    I love it! God knows exactly what we need when we need it. And your goals may not be big and flashy, but they are perfect!

    jenifermetzger.org

  • Anonymous

    I love this post for many reasons – the stones, the words you selected and your goal to pursue joy. I am going to share it with friends. I am still thinking about my word for the year.

    PS. I was clicking on your links, and under Women LIving Well, you’ve put http://www.womenlivingwell.COM, and I think it is meant to be http://www.womenlivingwell.ORG.

  • Erin Messing

    I love the idea of putting the hopes for the year on stones to remember them throughout the year. And really, the desires you have are so much more than ordinary. It takes time, sacrifice, effort, courage to do all those things. May God bless you and your family this year as you choose joy.

  • http://www.joyfilleddays.wordpress.com Sarah Beals

    Joy, You are always so refreshing.

  • http://www.toshowthemjesus.com/ Christina

    Yes! I can relate as I have similar goals for this year. Thanks for sharing!

  • Kelli Corona

    It is amazing how God works, I started praying about this year in December and the Lord showed me that Joy was my word. I will have to read Sally’s book, sounds fabulous! I wrote briefly about my word for 2012 at http://www.raisinganarrow.com. So glad you are refreshed, it is always nice to get away and relax.

  • http://3dlessons4life.wordpress.com/ Lyli

    Joy is my battle cry word for 2012 as well. :)

  • Anonymous

    I love the word ‘joy’. It seems a perfect mix of happiness, and peace.

  • http://www.dianetohline.com/ Dtohline

    I love this idea…and your writing is so pretty. I’ve been experiencing a joyful heart beginning 2012.

    I think being able to “see” your words is a perfect idea.

    I was thinking about you all having a vacation in an area that others have to travel 1/2 way around the world for an “exotic trip”. Glad you take advantage of the opportunity, especially since it’s at your back dooor.

  • http://www.eightacresofeden.com/ Ann

    It does say in the Bible that he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed and it was lovely to see your pictures of your ‘refreshing’ times and I like seeing some pictures that I can relate to at this time of the year when everyone else is talking about sitting down to write their goals for 2012 with a hot chocolate in front of the fire! So many goals and resolutions are all about self but what you have shared is all about serving others and it is in that place we will truly find fulfillment.
    Happy New Year Joy and family. May God bless you abundantly and keep on refreshing you this year as you continue to serve your family and the people He brings into your home and into your life via this blog. Thank you for sharing your heart.
    P.S I was keen to read about making home a sanctuary but the link takes me to a commercial website for purchasing domain names – is that meant to be linked to one of Sally’s posts?

  • http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/ Barbie

    Beautiful! I love how you wrote your hopes on stones!

  • http://twitter.com/LoveGodGreatly Angela

    Soo glad to hear you had such a wonderful time on your vacation! I’m right there with you sweet friend! I want to cultivate the same kind of home and be RADICAL just like you! Ha! :)

  • Susan

    It’s beautiful :)
    real joy is God
    ah… I feel the warmth…

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  • MandyS

    I downloaded Dancing With My Father about 30 minutes ago on my Kindle! I searched back through your blog to find your list of books –35—i think. I have 3 boys and a girl on the way and need some quiet, mommy reading books!

  • Anonymous

    Speaking and verbalizing these goals and ascribing worth to things that are truly valuable…is really a great way to preach to your heart. It isn’t that there is magic in setting the goals, or even in trying harder, but that God’s grace enables the desires of our hearts as we align our hearts with his. Thank you for regularly tuning your heart, and ours to His. Love you, friend!

  • Shannon N

    So needed this, Joy is what God is trying to work in my life. Thank you for the encouragement.

  • http://www.canaanboundbrigade.wordpress.com/ Kim B.

    Someone once told me the meaning of true JOY is Jesus Others You. I LOVED that! I loved your list too. Such great goals that I do believe will change your life :)