Marriage Monday

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Joy...?
"Hun, He said...I don't know if I have ever really felt that joy that the Pastor spoke about."

I gave pause to thought...Then replied I that "Joy as I see it is a different sort of thing than most may expect it to be or think of it as. To me I have come to think of it and equate it more to the abundant fruits of strength"
The strength to endure to withstand and uphold a banner of purpose and character (with a "Dear God please help me!"). It is that exuberant thrill that comes after the storm of each trial. Beloved and I have had many a trial, many a challenge a test as it were. This most recent challenge to sell out the estate. To become debt free to be willing to let go. Only now being able, to more deeply regain and receive what possessions and luxuries
we do have. The opportunity to support the union by walking into the goal...counting all loss, but to see my husband free. Yet freedom comes in so many different ways. It is for freedom sake that I packed this home and opened it for weeks to strangers on end. It was for freedom sake that I was more than willing to receive a house that even the Realtor was stunned that I would consider.
I am my beloveds and he is mine. The banner we hold over each other is love.
It is that love that will empower me to work toward the debt free goal even though we are not selling out. It will be a long term goal that will take all the support I can give to my mate. He has a dream and a desire and it is one to travel. It is that we are one. That it is a dream I share with him. It is my hope to get employment in the fall. A thing I thought I would Never want to acquire. It is in all things working together to accomplish a goal. It will take me to a newer level of strength to learn more about selling and merchandising my jewelry.
The Joy , the joy is the strength that I am witness too. It was with great Joy (strength) that I packed and let go of this home with an open hand. It will be in joy that I return. Returning into this home will take great strength. Box after box and it will be a Joy (strength) of character to let go of those things that are of no purpose here anymore.
The Lord gives me strength.
It is the Joy of the Lord that is my strength. Being like Him (as I am able) strengthens me and the victory of exercising that strength bring floods of joy as a benefit to the prudent.

May we all find great Joy (God given STRENGTH) as we live our lives with character and dignity. Setting our eyes to the prize and not to the struggle. For if not for struggle we would all be weak saplings snapped in the storm.
Trees of righteousness firmly planted , strengthened as the wind blows our forms into twisted weathered beauty.
Above all... guarding our hearts that we not loose our gaze upon the greater prize of it all...

The Joy.