Pure Joy

Have you ever had one of those days (or seasons) where one thing after another just seems to go wrong…or one stressor is piled onto another? I think we can all relate. I have a tendency to worry and stress. I am very much Type A personality, and I won’t things in order, and I want them in order way before it’s time to actually have whatever it is done. Wedding planning has driven me crazy, and I feel like I am at the point that nearly every bride gets to when they say, “I just want this all to be over. I just want to get married.” Yes, I am there.

via

So, this is what I have realized recently. Satan wants to remind you of the things that are not going well, and he does not want you to see what God has done and is doing in your life. He wants to steer you as far away from God’s truth as possible and will make every attempt to make you feel without hope and keep you in a pit. He reminds you of what you do NOT have and points out the negative and never makes mention of God’s goodness and provision. He will completely steal your joy if you let him. I HAVE LET HIM! What am I going to do? Well, I’m glad you asked. I am appropriating God’s truth in my life, and I’m telling Satan to shut up. Did you know that in the name of Jesus he has to leave? We have that power through the Spirit. Pretty neat, huh? Only if we allow it to be so in our life.

via

What truth have I brought back to the surface? Wow, y’all just ask all the right questions. I would love to tell ya.

(1) I have been in the situation many times where I tell God that I don’t feel like something is going to get taken care of financially or otherwise. You want to know how many times He has left it not taken care of? ZERO! Why am I at this point again? It’s craziness. Silly humanness.

via

(2) God has written me one of the most beautiful love stories that could ever be imagined. My journey with Zach could make a pretty great movie if I say so myself. He is the most amazing man in the entire world! I might be a little biased, but you should be jealous. He’s pretty wonderful, and I love him a whole bunch. I never question if He is going to lead me Biblically. I never worry about whether or not my future children will have a good Daddy. They are going to have the most amazing Daddy there ever was! I never worry about being treated with respect. I never worry about any of those things. I know that our beautiful love story will continue on until one of us meets our Jesus. I am SO excited that he is going to be my partner for the Gospel. Again, I might be biased, but I think we make a pretty excellent team. I can’t wait to say “I do”.

via

(3) My bridesmaids are some of the most amazing women in the world. That’s why they’re bridesmaids. Duh! They have been a HUUUUUGE help in all of this, and I am so blessed to have them. Even aside from them all of my wonderful friends and family are AMAZING. I can’t tell you how much support I have received not only through this wedding planning but through everything. I am soooo grateful for them. Again, I am marrying the best man in the entire world, and I have the best friends in the world. You should be even more jealous now.

via

(4) I am marrying into an absolutely amazing family. I have never received so many hugs, kisses, and heard “I love you” so much until I walked into the  homes of this family. The support and encouragement that I have received from them has been overwhelming. I’ll ignore the fact that they’re already praying twins on us. Ha

via

(5) God cares about my life more than I do. He has plans for it, and my worry masks those beautiful plans. Life is SOOOO much more full of joy when your eyes and heart are focused on God. He wipes all those little things that we can magnify in our lives and gives us a new perspective. I choose that new perspective. I choose joy!

via

I know we all have those instances where we want to let our stressors take the wheel. I am number one, I promise. Let’s choose joy together, reader friends. Happy Thursday!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica almost Hardy

It’s Not So Far Away

It’s that time again. It’s time for…

I’m linking up with Jamie to share all of the love in my life. As usual, there is a lot to love.

1) First of all, I am loving that I have had the opportunity to work a recreation day camp in my college town for the last two weeks. It is called Okra Camp. Hey, don’t hate on our mascot! I am learning a TREMENDOUS amount as I go, and that has been very fun. Has it been trying at times? Yes. Am I tired? YES! But I am very thankful for the opportunity, and I am learning a lot not just about sports. It has been fun to meet and get to know the staff members, and the children never allow for boring moments. I’m also getting a pretty neat tan. It’s almost a burn. I’ll get some sunscreen.

 

These kids are getting to do things that they would probably never be able to do. It is very rewarding to see them as they enjoy these activities and learn more. To see some more of what we have been doing you can go here!

2) Second, I am LOVING that on Friday I will be going back to Hernando. Guess what?!? Zach is there as well! This will be the first time in almost a year that we will be in the same town for good. I am PRETTY excited. As soon as he moved back from Texas I went off to camp, and I’m ready to just be together.

 

3) I am loving the welcome that I am getting from the Hope Sullivan crew before I have even gotten there! It makes me so excited to start off there and slightly chips away some of the nerves.

 

What are you loving this Wednesday, reader friends? There’s much to love.

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica