As winter storm Jonas barreled east recently, the forecasts warned of impending doom. Shovels, sleds, milk, bread, comfort foods, and numerous other coping methods flew off the store shelves. My initial excitement over potentially significant snow accumulation was quickly snuffed out by the meteorologists’ mention of sleet and freezing rain. School was canceled before storm even hit neighboring states, because this mega-blizzard was obviously going to wreak havoc on our lives. The children high-fived at the dinner table, eager to start their three-week break from school a day early. But as we pressed our noses to the windows the next morning, still in our pajamas when we’d normally be packing backpacks, our disappointment was almost palpable. The frozen precipitation hitting our yard was like nails on a tin roof. The sound was all we needed to tell us this wasn’t anything we wanted to play in. We slunk back to our electronic devices and hoped for some ‘real’ snow. The joy of what might’ve been evaporated in the face of reality.
I’m often struck by how quickly we’re defeated when things don’t go our way. A change of plans, a big storm, a less-than-stellar test grade, a broken water heater … first world problems can really suck the joy right out of our extraordinary lives, right? Another mom and I were lamenting recently how quickly our children’s struggles can rob of us our joy, especially when we try to swoop in and save them from heartache when perhaps the better course of action would be to let them wrestle with their challenges a bit. From a child’s perspective, I’m sure they wonder why grownups worry about so many things. All. The. Time.
Jonas eventually did drop enough snow to sled in. Only an inch or so but it was all we needed. A friend rallied the neighbors and we trekked through the icy-covered streets to a huge hill in a community park nearby. The smiles and laughter were evident on everyone’s faces. From age three to fifty-three, people took turns careening down the hill on sleds that only serve their purpose once or twice a year. It was refreshing to forget about deadlines, homework, Lego tournaments, youth group commitments … all the good things that often fill our Saturdays. We took pictures and helped the wounded limp off to safety (it’s a big hill with a few unfriendly obstacles) and celebrated when the littlest ones were brave enough to give it a go. Mission accomplished. Joy recovered.
In preparation for writing this post, I researched quotes regarding joy. The one mentioned above really resonated with me. It’s true. I’ve been blessed with a heritage of joy. How often do I live as though it is my purpose? I can spout a handful of passages about joy from God’s word and pull up at least twenty-five more verses through a quick internet search. But do I live as though joy is my purpose? I can craft a fictional story that propels characters toward a happily ever after and offers the reader a glimpse of Jesus, yet one big winter storm threatens my carefully orchestrated (real life) plans and suddenly I’m undone.
When did life become so urgent, anyway?
Can you relate? Are you fighting for joy in the midst of both a literal and figurative winter?
“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, he salvation of your souls.” -1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)
Photo credit: Austin Schmid via Unsplash
A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heidi was blessed to spend her formative years in Alaska. Her unique upbringing, coupled with Alaska's breathtaking scenery, fueled her active imagination and loosely inspired her debut novel, Unraveled. Heidi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master's Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband, Steve. They live in North Carolina with their three active little boys. When Heidi isn't stepping on Legos, chauffeuring the boys around suburbia or watching one of their many sporting events, she loves to read and write heartwarming romance.
Great post, Heidi! It’s so easy to let circumstances and people steal our joy. We must keep in mind that nothing in life has happened to us, it’s all happening for us. That can be tough sometimes.
During the bleak gloomy winter months, we need a reminder to look on the bright side of life and experience joy. Our reaction to the diversities in life is a choice. God’s blessings. Enjoy your weekend.
Great post. I really like what you said about life being urgent. I prayed for joy about my job yesterday and need to make that a daily prayer, because this job is a blessing from God! (Even though it sometimes seems more like a cold, rainy, winter day.) =)
Thank you for the reminder to choose joy. Winter is always a challenge for me in that aspect. I don’t feel happy when it’s dark and rainy.
We can let circumstances get us down, or we can choose joy. Amen. I choose joy. God’s got it!
Choosing joy is so important. And this was a great post.
I do feel it’s probably worth mentioning that if you struggle disproportionately with joy in the winter, you may have seasonal affected disorder and it’s worth the investment in a full spectrum light. As one who deals with biochemically caused depression, I absolutely need to choose joy. But I also need to realize that sometimes that choice isn’t enough, and it’s okay to get whatever form of help I need.
Thank you, Jill. I appreciate your reminder that this is all for us. I hope you have a wonderful,joy-filled weekend.
Hi, Renate. Indeed, our reaction is a choice. There is much to be joyful about, isn’t there? I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too. Thank you for being a faithful follower here at Inspy Romance.
Hi, Katy. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Yes, I find that our daily work can sometimes rob us of our joy. I like your attitude of gratitude, though. Blessings!
Great choice, Valerie. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Thank you, Elizabeth. Great point about SAD, too. After many winters in Alaska and a few more in the Pacific Northwest, I can definitely attest to the benefits of what we affectionately called the “happy light”. Thank you for the reminder that depression is real and intervention is key.
Love this post! How is it different from living in Alaska to living in NC? I live in southwest Virginia and love snow. I couldn’t imagine moving from Alaska lol. One thing I’ve learned, though it’s hard to remember when you’re in the midst of “winter” in your life, that you need to keep your eyes on God. Sometimes we try to struggle through on our own instead of turning it over to Him.
So true Elizabeth. Also due to the gloomy lack of sunshiny weather another cause of depression or lack of joy can be Viatimin D deficiency. One winter even by eating foods rich in Vitamin D, the doctor gave me a high dose vitamin D supplement to get back in the proper balance, since I was going through menopause. Love reading all the responses.
Hi Kimberly. It’s a challenge for me, too. Thank you for saying hello.
Hi Sally. I made the move east in gradual steps: Alaska to Spokane, Spokane to Chattanooga, Chattanooga to NC, then back to the West Coast for a few years and now we’re here in North Carolina again. I love NC for many reasons, but the four distinct seasons are very nice. In Alaska, you spend a lot of time coping with the elements (snow removal, etc.) which isn’t a factor here in the South. Thank you for the important reminder to keep our focus where it belongs, on God and not our circumstances.
Heidi, great reminder to remember the joy! Spokane. I went to high school when we lived in Spokane. Mead. I’ve lived in 11 states and have dealt with all kinds of weather.
It seems lately I’ve been going through some kind of storm, struggling day by day with some unnamed thing. I have no idea what, but it’s as if slogging through muck. It is hard to see the joy, I know it’s there around the corner, but getting there is slow going. I just have to keep the faith that “this too shall pass” & the Lord IS with me daily, walking beside me in it all. A very timely post, Heidi, thanks for sharing what’s on your heart :-) I needed to hear this!
Heidi, great post! We don’t have blizzard storms where I live, and just the thought of a storm like Jonas is scary. It’s not easy to find joy in the storms of life. I’m glad you had enough snow to enjoy a fun Saturday outdoors :)