Sunday, March 8, 2009

Joy

Well, we just completed day 4 of the sale. I'm not as tired as I expected I would be, but I think that is partly because I got a killer migraine yesterday which forced me to come home early and get 14 hours of sleep.

The sale is AMAZING. Seriously. Unbelievably amazing. There are huge pockets of space that are EMPTY and yet people are still shopping. My prayer right now is that we get some amazing restock in the next few days so that people continue to have items to buy.

Last night, I woke up at one point as my head was pounding and I just couldn't sleep it hurt so bad. I spent some time in prayer and God laid this on my heart: what has happened to people's joy? Dealing with the public is not always an easy job, but now more than ever I have noticed that people just seem sad. depressed. lost. Where is their joy?

Yes, the economy is not the best (although we are choosing not to participate in the recession-we'd work at McDonalds if we had to). Yes, people have lost their jobs. Yes, money is tight. Yes, the weather is iffy. BUT, I am so thankful that I am able to have the ability to LIVE. Even on bad days, I have JOY. The Lord has been pruning me the last few weeks to remind me to be THANKFUL all the time. So many times, we hit our knees only when life is really yucky, but what about all the times that life is great. My family is healthy. My husband has a job. I am just happy to be alive. I am happy I live in a free country that allows me to go to church, where I learned about HIM. I am so thankful that I can worship my savior freely. I am so thankful I am able to smile, laugh, and enjoy being his child (and I am thankful that I make a million mistakes-and learn from them)

So, I question you: where is your joy!?!?! Don't walk around with a frown. If you know God, you KNOW JOY! Show it off. Make people wonder what is different about you? Make people want to know Jesus because of you!

I saw a quote recently that said something like "Live your life so that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil thinks, "oh crap, she's up!" I want to be that woman. I want people to see GOD in me. I want to radiate joy!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE SO RIGHT!

Linda said...

Amen!!

kristina proffitt said...

I love that quote and that is SO right, Brea! I DO see joy when I see you. :) I hope you see it in me, too! Hugs! Have a wonderful day!

Sarah said...

I was thinking of something along the same lines the other day. All we hear about lately is the doom and gloom of the economy and I just couldn't help but think...even if we do hit another "Great Depression" and we have to stand in line for food, we all lose our houses and our cars, or gasp..can't buy GAP jeans we're still 1000 times better off than most of the rest of the world.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you feel joy and believe me I do also because I know Him. But, please don't be so quick to judge. I believe it was you, several weeks ago, that was having a difficult time with depression and needed your medicine adjusted. We never know, until we walk in someone else's shoes. I would also work McDonald's to avoid the recession, if McDonald's was hiring. Please don't confuse outward sadness to be without "inner Joy".

Anonymous said...

I love it..."Oh crap she's up"!! That is hysterical. I want to be that person!

Anonymous said...

I love it..."Oh crap she's up"!! That is hysterical. I want to be that person!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Brea for this blog. SO many things can bog you down. I heard a message this week and in it, it said, 'to have joy you must sow the seeds of rejoicing." There is always something to be thankful about.. Glad the sale is over and wow, I got my check quick, sister!

Anonymous said...

I'm inspired. Did you are that quote on one of my emails? I went to a service that David Evans preached about six years ago and he asked a question: "When you get up in the morning does the devil rejoice or does he cringe when your feet hit the floor because God has allowed you to stay another day." I love it too. Is it bad to find JOY in making Satan miserable? I don't think so. Thanks for reminding me.

Anonymous said...

I'm inspired. Did you are that quote on one of my emails? I went to a service that David Evans preached about six years ago and he asked a question: "When you get up in the morning does the devil rejoice or does he cringe when your feet hit the floor because God has allowed you to stay another day." I love it too. Is it bad to find JOY in making Satan miserable? I don't think so. Thanks for reminding me.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I'm not sure why that posted twice!