Anita Higman - How God Grows a Woman of Joy

E specially for

F rom

D ate

2019 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Print ISBN 978-1-64352-202-9

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To Shannon Perry

God has given this world many blessings, and you are one of them, my friend.

Thank you for shining the light and love and joy of Christ wherever you go!

Anita Higman

Joysuch a little word to hold such a big emotion! Sometimes that sensation of pleasure or happiness seems impossible to obtain thoughas if it is a jar of pretty feelings placed so high on a shelf that even Christians cant quite reach it. Yes, this life can be hard, and even Jesus said there would be trouble in our earthly journey. Yet in spite of our fallen world and these frail vessels of ours, the Lords Word is full of assurances that He will fill us with joy. And He alone has the supernatural power to make good on those promises. May we discover, celebrate, and share this little-big word called joy!

I was there when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

P ROVERBS 8:27, 2931 NIV

Your child squats on the seashore to investigate a shell. You think its nice, but since you have too many at home, you secretly hope he will toss it back. But your boy is an explorer extraordinaire, and well, he thinks that shell looks like a spaceship. As he makes noises that scare away the wildlife nearby, he is a boy no longer. Hes a superhero with a red cape, and he is out to foil the dark plot of the aliens before they destroy the universe!

And here you thought it was just a shell .

Yes, kids can be full of the sillies, and yet their play is valuable. They learn. They grow. They cherish a sense of delight and wonder over all that God has created.

Then there on the beach, your boy falls exhausted onto your lap and whispers, I did it, Mom. I saved you from the aliens because I love you.

Then you decide that shell is one of the best treasures ever found.

Lord, may I always take joy in my childs delight, and may I continue to hold on to my sense of wonder. Amen.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 P ETER 5:8 ESV

You sit in a heap on the floordrowning in confusion and anger and fear, traumatized from what you found when you came home from work. Someone broke into your home and stole your most prized possessionsfamily heirlooms, like your mothers wedding ring and your grannys handmade quilt. And while the invader tore around your home looking for valuables, he managed to leave a gargantuan mess from all his tearing and soiling and breaking things. What to do? You call the police so they can find the thief and deliver justice.

The devil is the worst kind of thief, deceiver, and destroyer. He will try very hard to come in and take away all that you treasurejoy, peace, loveand leave you in a wake of confusion and anger and fear. So, may we always be sober-minded. May we be watchful. Call on the Lord any time of the day or night. Rely on His perfect hand of justice, His tender mercies, and His mighty power to restore!