It was good to unpack, I put everything in the wash, including the totebags themselves. I am thankful for fresh water and home convenience. Thank You Lord for the trip. Thank You Lord for being home.

In my suitcase this time, I packed my pint-sized JESUS plush doll, it just gets smooshed under paper piles, so thought time for a car ride, why not, the fresh face is so inviting and this particular doll has an unusual appearance with an arm always held up rather than by its side. Jesus extends His guidance, He points the way. If anything, the doll is just a reminder of squishy huggable Jesus to His children, us. Joy in the Journey. 

I certainly also packed my pocket-sized “Jesus Calling” devotion book, that I read each morning both for personal strength and ead for conversations in a small Bible study group each week, it’s good to unpack how each set of scriptures (spoken in Jesus 1st person) was pertinent that week, joys and challenges. A safe space Zoomed to wherever I am, physically and mentally, for an hour each week. The scriptures are to stick with us all day, of course, so each morning, the Lord is urging us to be accepting of a safe-space, God Given, to read His Word and talk to Him. God wants to unpack some life items for us, not rehash them but rewash them and make them fresh and new again. Often Jesus will throw away old hurtful things, saying you don’t need them, let’s move forward.  He does this because His nature is forgiveness for repentance, I know, Lord, that You know best. Jesus can reformat our life to pattern after His, and take the yoke, helping us walk freely ahead.Thankfulness in adversity… current adversity (one could be writing about old adversity too, but let’s focus on today)

I appreciated one particular page this 4-day weekend, in the JesusCalling book, oh a good reminder for myself: TO PRAISE IN ADVERSITY, to ask “what blessing can come out of this?” Yes. Often we say it is good ‘life experience’ – it is if only it’s that we pull closer to God. 

Then I know God got a good laugh from the angels at the repetitive lesson that next day (thankfulness is a way to pray without ceasing), because both He wants us to know this lifestyle each day and the angel laugh because that same sentiment arose in the crossword puzzle later that day. Oh yeah, clue 52 (fittingly a special number to my earthly distractions), “UNCEASINGLY” – and the answer is “ETERNALLY”. Cute God, cute.

That thankfulness, even in adversity, done unceasingly, surely refocuses us on His Joy. Joy is different than happiness, which can be fleeting, but Joy returns with Jesus-focus, a servant heart, a sacrificial spirit, a forgiveness force.

Jesus is our JOY – let us never forget to bring this to each day.

Amen

…

I’ll unpack more later, but meanwhile here is that text, from Sarah Young’s envisioned writing, like Jesus speaking directly, from the scriptures, Jesus Calling:

Nov 24 Jesus Calling: “Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you JOY  (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience — at times, blind obedience. To people who don’t know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.

“Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.”

From: Ephesians 5:20 ESV giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Psalm 118:1 ESV Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 89:15 ESV Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,

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Nov25 Jesus Calling: “Thank Me frequently as you journey through today. This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught. If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every stiuation. These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers. Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me. When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining. If you practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker. Draw near to Me with a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.”

From: I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

James 4:8 ESV Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Romans 15:13 ESV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.