” ‘Finding Joy in the Journey”

‘Finally – I’m ready to start sharing’! 

While sitting in a seminar one night and having my own personal conversation with God, the words “Joy in the Journey”, popped into my spirit and brought a smile to my face and softness in my heart. Moments such as this are always amazing to me, when out of seemingly nowhere, a thought or word comes into your mind and heart and propels you to a place of calmness even though the storms may be blowing all around you. After a moment of sitting and embracing the feeling, I realized that I had just been provided with the direction of my first book. I’ve known for several years that I wanted to write and become a published author, but had been resistant to writing a Christian Inspirational book. In my opinion, there were enough Christian authors writing on the subject so my desire was to write Christian fiction since that is where I find enjoyment when I spend time reading. Well, that night the Lord let me know his assignment and it is to write my first book on “Finding Joy in the Journey” of life. Trust me, this is a subject that I am well acquainted with. It’s during times of reflection that I’m also amazed that no matter what the situation is or has been, I’ve always been able to triumph over it or navigate my way through and find peace in the eye of the storm. Actually, that is one of the first key’s to finding joy in the journey, and that is understanding that you can have peace even in the midst of challenging situations.

As I began this blog I had no idea what was to come. You see, I started writing this first blog in 2016, but then life happened. I took an amazing job in another state, sold my home in Nashville and moved to Pittsburgh PA.  What I thought would be a fresh new adventure in Pittsburgh PA turned out to be my next level of figuring out how to find joy in the eye of the storm. After a ten month journey my beloved brother went home to be with the Lord in 2017. I can still remember sitting on the side of his bed one day in the nursing facility and him telling me I’ve got cancer; cancer does not have me – God’s got me! My brother’s faith during his journey home to be with the Lord served to ignite a new level of strength and faith in me as I walked alongside him during that time. Within three months of my brothers passing my beloved aunt and uncle would both leave this earth and go home to be with the Lord on Christmas within hours of each other and joined my mom and their mom in heaven. The year 2017 ended and I came into 2018 with a wow- what just happened and a remembrance of the scripture Psalms 30:5; weeping may endure for a night, but that joy comes in the morning.

Funny how life can throw you curve balls just when you feel as though everything is coming up roses.  I had not had experiences such as those that occurred in 2017, but a few storms had blown through my life, and God has always been in the center and saw me through each and every one. There was no doubt in my mind as I entered 2018 that the Lord would do the same for me once again. My friends, that is the key to finding and holding fast to joy. Its knowing that we have a father in heaven who knows our every need and who never leaves us. It’s during the tough seasons of life when we feel alone and discouraged that we need to draw closer to our father in heaven, those who build you up in the faith, and to those you know genuinely love and care for you. No man is an island has been a cliché that has been around for many years, but there is certainly truth in this statement.  We need the Lord first and foremost, but we also need a community of family and friends walking through the journeys of life with us.

Make this a time of discovery as you walk through this season with me as I blog and share some of my writings with you. The Lord wants to bless us more that we can ever imagine and in imaginable ways. Who knew that loss would draw me back into a deeper and closer love and affection for the Lord. It’s part of the reason I’m sitting here writing today with no struggle of what words should or should not be included today. My desire is to encourage you as well as me to live our best life “NOW”. Tomorrow will take care of itself, so focus on today and purpose in your heart that you are going to make today a GREAT day!

Blessings’

Marsha