Choose JOY ~ Keeping it Real.

January usually hits hard. All the Christmas decorations are packed away. School is back in swing and it is cold. Our house is especially cold. It is not well insulated and so we struggle in the winter. We do have a fireplace and I love having fires. I am a spring/summer girl. I love Christmas/Advent but when it is over....  I start looking for spring!

Today I bought a book I am really excited about....

Choose JOY is by Sara Frankl. I am so happy about this...

Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose when Life Hurts.

"Sara's story only grew louder, braver, bolder with her death. It's a story that we all need to keep hearing." --Lisa-Jo Baker, bestselling author of Surprised by Motherhood

Sara Frankl knew she had a terminal disease, but she didn't let it stop her from living. In the face of immeasurable pain, Sara chose joy--again and again. Her unforgettable message of hope and purpose lives on, even after her death, in her words.

CHOOSE JOY is a compilation of the lessons Sara learned while she was dying, written in her own words and sewn together by her close friend Mary Carver. It is a reminder to see the beauty in life, even when it looks nothing like you hoped or planned.

In a world full of tragedy, choosing joy is no small task--but, as Sara knew, the importance lies in the choosing. Once you learn to make that choice, every day, no matter what happens, joy will come.

.......................

I read Sara's blog faithfully....  and the way she would Choose Joy helped me choose joy too. Seeing her make the choice even when life hurt. I know several friends that do this. I choose to do this also. Life is often hard here. I do not talk about it much. I love being a mom and I am so very thankful for my children, love being able to stay home and home educate my children....  but, through the years being married to an ex-military, agoraphobic who dances with the bottle more than us...  is a daily struggle. Some of you know this but most of you do not.

God is bigger than that.

His grace is sufficient.

I count the gifts and "that" seems to grow smaller. Some days it is harder than others and at times unbearable.

As I read through Sara's blog/Gitzen Girl.....   it encouraged me. We all have struggles, some harder than others.  Just like with Kara Tippets and her struggle with cancer. Life is hard. But, we CHOOSE JOY instead of allowing the enemy to steal it.

Can't wait to start this book. Even today as words have been said to cut deep...  I have to breathe deep and CHOOSE JOY.


Grace~ Teena