2013 - A Year of Joy

This was a year of big smiles and a lot of joy for the Bell family.

I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us in 2014.

 

 

Looking back, my word for the year 2013 was joy.

 

Finding joy in celebrations.

Finding joy in heartaches.

Finding joy on the weekdays.

Finding joy on the weekends.

Finding joy in my marriage.

Finding joy in parenthood.

Finding joy in my job.

Finding joy in the unknown.

Finding joy in the unplanned.

Finding joy in every day.

In all things, I was challenged to find joy.

 

Sometimes, on some days, it was more difficult.

But the Lord was always faithful.

 

Baker would plaster that infectious smile,

or Brian would engulf me in an embrace so big and so tight,

or a friend would call at the just right time,

or a perfectly timed text would arrive,

or my parents would do that wonderfully encouraging thing that parents do,

and the Lord reminded me of joy in the midst.

 

 

 I learned, when I truly look for joy in all circumstances,

there is joy to be found in all circumstances.

 

"Rejoice always."

1 Thessalonians 5:16

 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again - Rejoice!"

Philippians 4:4

 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

James 2:4

 

I have contemplated my word for 2014.

I have decided, without hesitation, it will be intentional.

 

Being intentional as a believer and in my quest to point people to my Lord and Savior.

Being intentional as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend.

Being intentional in hospitality.

Being intentional in servanthood.

Being intentional in conversations.

Being intentional in relationships.

Being intentional in my everyday.

 

Praying intentionally.

Loving intentionally.

Living intentionally.