Finding & Creating 'Joy'

Tonight was a great night. A handful of us ladies got together and had a bible study hosted by Amanda. It was really good to fellowship and share with eachother. What I really took from tonight's lesson was to not only find, but create Joy in my life and it will be more fulfilling. It's not always easy to be joyful and sometimes it is downright difficult to find any joy in some days. The focus was also on being our spouse's 'help mate' - if I have that term correct.

Anyway, I was a bad student and didn't write down the verses that we read, but have found others that work well in a marital appilication.

Philippians

2:2-4

...make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaingin the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others.

14-16

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life...

In applying this scripture to my own personal relationship with my husband, I find that I need to be more thankful and appreciative, giving affirmation to him each moment that I can find to do so. Being aware of all the little things he does and be thankful for each and every one of those things. And, in doing this, focusing on the positive, creates joy in my life and his as well.

For example, being thankful that he's watching the kids while I'm out doing shopping and upon returning, actually thanking him for watching the kids, and not grumbling about all the toys being on the floor and the kitchen not being cleaned up. The point is to focus on the fact that he was willing to 1) watch the kids in the first place 2) acknowledged that I needed some 'me' time and let me have it 3) gave attention to kids that they deserved and needed with their father.

Well, I'd better get to bed, Mike is snoring next to me as I'm typing.