8.06.2013

Nutella vs joy

"Today is the kind of day when ____________ would make everything better!"

I say this every day. Fill in the blank with
a sweet tea.
a iced coffee the size of my head.
a couple of hours away from everyone. or days. weeks?
slices of chocolate cheesecake.
a pre-paid shopping spree.
a phone call from a friend.
an 8-hour nap.
a brief break from financial troubles.
...a break from life, in general.
being loved like I think I deserve.
etc.

Today was one of those days. Life is hard right now. Not bad, but hard. God has allowed some tough circumstances in my life because He knows fully and best which trials I need to make me more dependent on Him, so that I'll be more like Jesus - and I have quite a few lessons to learn! And today, oh man. I was confident that Nutella, straight out of the jar with a spoon, would have made everything better.

image from www.leftoverqueen.com

At least, I thought so in the moment.

I was doing the dishes this afternoon in between refereeing Elizabeth & Abby's playtime and keeping Hannah from destroying the clean living room entirely, because she didn't want to just sit down and play with her sisters or watch a movie or anything. I was tired, and caffeine-deprived. I had been fighting off envy, discouragement, and bitterness all morning, so I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. And I was praying for Nutella, or really for anything that contained chocolate. We don't have money for extravagant things like chocolate right now, so it would only come by divine intervention.

Am I not joy enough? {that still, small voice.}

What. No. Let me continue in my self-pity.

Am I, the Lord, who loads you daily with benefits, am I joy enough for you, right now?

Ugh. But I deserve Nutella. or Dove. or Hershey. Something, for all of the stuff I've been dealing with.

Seek Me first, and my Kingdom - seek your solace and your comfort, your satisfaction and your joy - seek them in Me. All of those other things that you think will make your life better are temporary, my daughter! They cannot change a lick of your situation - but I can change your heart, even if your situation doesn't change. Find your joy in Me. I will show you the path of life! In My presence is FULLNESS of JOY; at My right hand are pleasures forevermore!"

Sigh.

Every day is a fight. a battle against discontent, whining, grumbling, and giving up. Every moment I have to choose Jesus as my supreme Joy - not because He makes my circumstances amazing, but because He can do amazing things with crummy, barren, hopeless situations.

Yes, Lord. You're right (of course You are!) Forgive me for being so short-sighted.

(But I wouldn't mind chocolate every now and then....)

Learning to rejoice in the Lord always,
for His glory!
~Lisha

I'm sharing this post over at these encouraging Link-up parties!

[If this post has encouraged, blessed, or inspired you, please comment or share with your friends!]


11 comments:

  1. This is a post I need so much in my life now. I've written some of it in my treasure book...a big fat journal where I write gems and Bible verses, admonition and truth. Thank you for sharing. God has spoken to me through your post.

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    1. This is a blessing to my heart - thank you for sharing this :)

      I love the idea of a treasure book!
      ~Lisha :)

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  2. Ouch! Oh man, that one was hard! I find myself here so many times! Thanks for the encouragement! And...thanks for linking up!

    Sarah

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    1. Rereading this post, I wonder...why did I think arguing with the Lord over chocolate was even a good idea? Oh, I'm so stiff-necked sometimes! Ouch, indeed!

      I'm thankful for your link-up party - what an encouragement!
      ~Lisha :)

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  3. I love Nutella! More than that, I love how God uses some of the craziest stuff to speak to us! Stopping by from Proverbs 31. Very encouraging! Thanks! New follower.

    http://www.lovingwhenithurts.com

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    1. He's used broken crayons, matchbox cars, scraped knees, and all kinds of ordinary things to bring His richest truths home to me, when I'm willing to hear Him :) Thank you for your kindness!

      ~Lisha :)

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  4. Thank you for your kind words & invitation! :)

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  5. I am so convicted right now!! As I am reading, I am making my own "make everything better" list in my head (which would definitely include Starbucks Frappuccino and anything dipped in ranch dressing!) and then that still, small voice enters in... and I am totally convicted. So true, Lisha! Thanks for linking up and sharing! I am so glad you did!!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet words, and for offering the invitation to link up. If the Lord used this meager offering to encourage you to find the fullness of your joy in Him - what a blessing!!!! He is so Faithful & True!

      ~Lisha

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  6. Lisha, what a delight. I only wish I would have had on online community like this to share my thoughts, hopes, insights with and to learn from when I was a young mom in your situation. I'm going to pass your blog on to my daughters who are. I stopped over from the Monday Praises link up. Vibrantl.Blogspot.Com I hope you enjoy some inspiration from a oldie who's been in your shoes before. Have a blessed week.

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    1. Wow - thank you! I am so thankful for the Titus 2 women who can come alongside & encourage the younger moms (...an age bracket that I'm slowly & surely outgrowing! :) )! I'm so thankful that you stopped by - thank you for your sweet words!

      ~Lisha :)

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