• Home
  • Blog
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Katie M. Reid

Finding Grace in the Unraveling of Life

  • Home
    • About
  • Books
    • Made Like Martha
    • A Very Bavarian Christmas
  • Blog
    • Disclosure
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
  • Coaching
    • Resources
  • Singing
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

in Five Minute Friday· Joy· Reflections· Uncategorized· Writing

Five Minute Friday: JOy

Join us on Fridays over at Lisa-Jo’s for a five minute writing prompt.  Be vulnerable and brave with us as we offer our words as an offering among friends.  You are most welcome here.  Can’t wait to read what you share.:)
Five Minute Friday

Picture

She chose joy.

Now, wouldn’t that be a nice way to go?
Carve those words on my tombstone.
No fear in death.

Because I want that phrase to mark my life.
That’s what I want to be true, really true, of me.

Choosing joy even in hard times.
Choosing joy when I’m overwhelmed.
Because isn’t choosing joy really choosing Jesus?
Because happiness ain’t joy, no ma’am.

“Happiness is two kinds of ice cream”…like a split-single in a cup
(half peanut butter fudge and half whatever-I’m-in-the-mood-for)
from my favorite hometown ice cream shop.

But happiness can change with the weather…like this long winter we are having.
When it snows on the first day of Spring, and Darling Daughter vocalizes the nagging question
that I’ve been secretly fearing, “Is it going to snow all the way through?”

But, Joy?  It lasts.
Lasts beyond the fickle weather.
Lasts through all that laundry piled high all over, encroaching upon your happiness.

Joy? It gives.
Give you strength to push through.
Helps you see when your eyes are weary.

Joy is not Pollyanna hype.

Joy is what holds you together when you might otherwise fall apart.
Joy is that down deep reality that there is even more to life than this.
Joy is those small, everyday wonders that point you to the bigger picture.
Joy is being able to sleep at night…your soul being able to rest because you are covered.
Not just by blankets, but by His blood. Covered by grace, Saved and secure.

May the joy of the Lord (and all that He is, and all that He has done) be your strength.

And may it be said of us…
She is choosing joy.

Picture

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Five Minute Friday, Joy, Reflections, Uncategorized, Writing

Previous Post: « Dreams Coming True
Next Post: Into the Land »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karrilee says

    March 21, 2014 at 12:39 am

    Amen! We are neighbors over at Lisa-Jo’s tonight and I am so glad that we are!

  2. Heather @40YearWanderer says

    March 21, 2014 at 1:01 am

    Katie! I love this! So glad to have found you through FMF. My running “theme” in life – and my blog – is “it’s all about the choice!”
    We think alike. 🙂
    Bless you,
    Heather

  3. karen says

    March 21, 2014 at 7:59 am

    LOVE this … thank you for sharing your FMF … I enjoyed your blog .. stopping by from FMF

  4. Jen Weaver says

    March 21, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Loved this post! Happiness is fleeting, like the weather. Ah, such an appropriate relatable picture right now. So glad to have found you through FMF.

  5. Shannon says

    March 21, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Katie- I found much JOY in reading your post for this week’s FMF!

  6. Karen says

    March 21, 2014 at 10:02 am

    Loved this post. it is so true that happiness is just a fleeting moment. Stopping in from FMF.

  7. Crystal Cyr says

    March 21, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I love everything about this! So beautifully said, thank you for sharing your words.

  8. Meredith Bernard says

    March 21, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    This is more than beautiful. This, “Joy is that down deep reality that there is even more to life than this.” YES. And then THIS, “Joy is being able to sleep at night…your soul being able to rest because you are covered.Not just by blankets, but by His blood. Covered by grace, Saved and secure.” YES and YES. I can’t say how much I love your words and your heart here. xoxo from another FMF Sister.

  9. Casey Prince says

    March 22, 2014 at 1:53 am

    Isn’t it such a gift that even on the darkest days we CAN choose joy. Imagine a life if only our mood determined our output. But choosing joy when life feels too heavy or too hard or too much can be the greatest gift you can give yourself. I’m with you. I am choosing joy, because that is the way I want to go, the way I want to be remembered.

  10. Katie Reid says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    Thank you so much ladies for your encouragement!:) It means a lot.

  11. Felista says

    March 25, 2014 at 5:52 am

    Amen and amen! What an encouragement for me personally,especially today!

Primary Sidebar

katie reid headshot

MEET KATIE

Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.

Read More

Subscribe for regular updates & receive a free video series.

Made Like Martha

Made Like Martha
Buy Now

Echoes of My Heart

Echoes of My Heart CD
Buy Now

Favorites for You

25 affiliate resources for communicator creatives and busy women

This site uses affiliate links.
Click here to read the full disclosure.

Footer

Search This Site

Recent Posts

  • Hope in the Middle of Our Struggles with Pastor Adam Reid Part 2
  • Hope in the Middle of Our Struggles with Pastor Adam Reid
  • Time-Saving Tips for Busy Women with Crystal Paine
  • Single and Not Sorry with Ellen Wildman

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 Katie M. Reid · Design by The Design Diva · Development by MRM

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT