June 3, 2023

Dear Ones,

Hope you are enjoying this weekend. I just cleaned the apartment and made veggie stir fry and porkchops. We hear that storms may be coming this afternoon. We pray next Saturday may be beautiful as my niece’s daughter Taylor is getting married by the lake!  

Devotions from Judy’s heart

   Do we really enjoy the life that God has given us? I was reading a devotional by Joyce Meyer and she shared how we are not to live life blandly by just working and accomplishing, but not really embracing our life. We were meant to enjoy our lives. It particularly struck me as I had just told Al the day before how much I enjoyed the life God gave me and was glad I was born in this era, married to him who I love, living in this apartment complex, able to live a contemplative life, cooking for a man who is willing to try anything I make, children and grandchildren who I love etc. etc. I am glad each day I awaken that I can enjoy life! Joyce quoted Eccl 2:24, “There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself enjoy good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God.”

  I think it is God’s will that we all enjoy the life God has given us. It is not based on great circumstances, comforts, and what we have, but more of our heart attitude. Our joy is in the Lord, and both the little and big things are part of His big picture for our lives. I love when I see His hand, meeting a simple desire even before I have spoken about it or prayed about it. Just this week I was sitting on the sofa and as I looked at the wall behind the two big chairs, I thought we really should get a new picture; the one on display we’ve had for years. Not a day later, I went down to the room by the elevator where free things are put, and there was a large-framed picture with flowers etc. and had all the colors present in our living room. It blended in with the chairs, rug and sofa. It couldn’t be more perfect, and I felt the Lord smiling for only he knew!

  Of course, not everything in our life is enjoyable as we have struggles, sickness, problems of all kinds but that should not stop us from enjoying the Lord. He is with us every moment and He is present to help us through each difficult thing in our day. Lately, I have prayed lots about my computer, my jaw, and questioned Him why we had to turn around from our trip to N.C. to see family. I don’t know the answers, but I know I can trust Him and enjoy life in the meantime. Let us not get stuck by our circumstances and let it dictate our heart attitude, but choose to enjoy every day with Him!

Challenge for today: Make a decision to enjoy your life and thank the Lord He has you right where you to be.