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Do you ever say this or at least think it?  I don’t think I’ve ever said this out loud, but I know it pops into my head. It usually happens about the time someone starts discussing finances and upcoming bills. That’s all it takes for my head to go into a tailspin. 

Sometimes that joy stealer also steals some much-needed sleep in the process; like last night, for instance. It was one of those nights where I felt a panic over the stress my 18-year-old was experiencing. And it was all interconnected, you know; the finances, college next year (and finances), unexpected bills (at Christmas time…the nerve!), senior year and its insane schedule and all the decisions, the work. And did I mention finances?!

This week, I suddenly felt motivated by that fear, which is a yucky thing. When my tiny direct selling business seemed to be running dry lately, I wanted to call everyone and say, “Why aren’t you ordering?”  Or “Come on, people! This stuff is not expensive.” But then, I called one of my customers, Ida, who has leukemia and was feeling pretty bad. And I remembered another customer who had recently lost her job. I remembered that I wanted to do this as a sort of ministry, not for some big money-making scheme, because it just wasn’t that anyway. 

I asked Ida what I could do to help. She said her daughter was taking care of her. I told her I would pray for her plateletes, since they were extremely low. I asked the other woman if she had found a job; she had! I’m being reminded to keep thinking about others, to be a servant. I’m getting my focus back to the right place…my source of joy. Because I don’t want anything to steal that joy, not now, not with Christmas approaching and the birth of Christ. I want that to be my focus. And I don’t care what the economy says. I want my JOY!

And wouldn’t you know it…here’s the verse I read this morning:

“So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.” (1 Peter 1:6, New Living Translation)

Okay, so even if temporary hardships dim my joy, I still have hope and a reason to be glad. Right?  Because someday…oh, the joy!