Surrender's Reward

 I am still a student of surrender's full fruit...the heart seems to be a stubborn leaner/learner...

With all the snow around here we begin feeling a sense of Christmas cheer!

Why not start early to celebrate mankind's joy to the world!

Choose joy; it makes life bearable

And wakes in us the miracle

That works in us a wonderful

Sustaining benefit

The wailing wind that rails and flails

And startles us with early gales

Inspires courage, fills hope's sails

With joy in spite of it

Choose joy; the kind that comes from trust

For what is man, but God-breathed dust

Dependent on His Perfect Must

From whence kind mercies brim

Then, come what may, of high or low

For all we cannot see or know

Joy grips the grace whereby we go

And leaves the rest to Him

Choose joy; for hearts are prone to fear

And though we groan with sorrow’s tear

Joy draws the God of Heaven near

And grants strength for the day

Where circumstance can be so mean

But God is bigger, though Unseen

And true joy is learning to lean

On He who knows/IS the way

© Janet Martin

  Though you have not seen him, you love him; 

and even though you do not see him now, 

you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 
for you are receiving the end result of your faith, 

the salvation of your souls. 

1 Pet.1:8-9

...and then surprise!
this little reminder from Ann Voskamp in her joy-quest!