Joy

This three letter word is becoming my obsession.  In the NASB translation it shows up 182 times.  I'm reading books about it.  I wake up thinking of it.  I fall asleep looking for it.  Honestly as I struggle with this depression what better thing is there to obsess over?

Here are a few ways I've found joy this past week:

253.  Serenity of a burning candle in the midst of chaos and sickness.

211.  Sick baby of laughter cradled into my chest peacefully sleeping.
214.  Screaming child-lots of time to pray.
220.  Warm fuzzy pj's perfect for sick days.
226.  Vomiting baby for 5 days, slept completely through each night.
228.  Rubbing tiny toes, relaxing both of us.
229.  Sick boy insisting I watch him fall asleep.
230.  Big blue eyes intently staring into mine as long eyelashes slowly close.
231.  Rubbing silky soft cheeks.

224.  Prayed for by a three year old, "God, Mommy has yucky germs.  Help her to feel better."
225.  Songs of love from my man of the woods, "I lobe my Mommy.  She bery pecial to me!  I lobe my Daddy, he bery pecial to me!
235.  Mommy snuggled between two cuddly boys.

249.  Little boy enjoying food for the first time in days.
243.  Friends who bring orange juice.
242.  Homemade chicken soup.
236.  Husband that makes supper and lets me go to bed at 5:30.

251.  Little boy priorities-socks and nakedness.
250.  Mix matched socks.

248.  Independence-Can get in and out of bath tub all by himself, socks and all.

O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods.

~ Psalm 95:1-3