Rooted in the Spirit, Rejoicing in the Now
Even before my toes touch the shag carpet, my mind is already ticking off mental boxes. I shuffle toward the kitchen, where I am met with the aroma of coffee perfuming the home with the promise of a good day. My favorite mug with the inscription, “Trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5,” awaits me to fill, so I can drink a little later.
The refrigerator door groans in protest as I tug it open. I reach in to grab the milk, yogurt, and berries and balance them on my hip. Dishes cling to the counter, followed by the spoons, as I move throughout the kitchen like a dancer who has performed the choreography hundreds of times.
Down the hall, two blankets rise and fall with slow breaths. As I reach my middle son’s room and gently rub his back. Stirring. On to the next son’s room and then my daughter, who is inevitably on my floor after a rough night of sleep. After a few minutes, padded feet hit the floor, and the house falls into our normal morning rhythm.
Back in the kitchen, my coffee is finally ready for a sip. I begin to sweep crumbs and dishes into the sink. Make my rounds, placing folded pajamas back in drawers and toys back into bins, readying the house for the day ahead.
Life, at times, can be monotonous. Motherhood, in particular, is a privilege, and many days it can feel like a revolving door of household management. The constant mental load and multitasking can be overwhelming at times and may even feel like it lacks joy. Between chauffeuring children, cooking meals, household management, supporting and teaching children by meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, it can feel draining.
As an adoptive mama who longed for children to fill my home. I could not be any more thankful to have the opportunity to love and care for my people, but there are days that are difficult. We move often, so reestablishing community takes intention. Even when I have taken the time to plug in and find my people, I can still feel lonely.
Life can be beautiful, and it can also be hard. We can endure things we never imagined we would ever have to face. In the midst of the wonderful and the challenging, how do I restore joy in my life?
I think it is important to understand the biblical worldview of joy, so we can correctly orient ourselves. Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is rooted in circumstances; however, biblical joy is not found within conditions but is a harvest from the presence of the Holy Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24, NIV).
The joy referred to in Galatians is the Greek word chara, which means cheerfulness, calm delight, and gladness. This joy is rooted in being full of the Spirit of God. My joy is not meant to be dependent on what is happening in my life. It is a divine grace found through the Holy Spirit.
"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11, NIV)
In this verse, Jesus is explaining to his disciples that His words and presence are meant to bring about His own joy, and that this will result in their own, complete joy. The “may be full” in the latter part of the verse means that I will “abound” or “be liberally supplied” with joy. I will be full of joy no matter what is happening in my life. We cannot abound in joy until we abide in Christ.
In the book of James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote to the twelve tribes of Israel that were scattered geographically due to persecution. He wrote to spur these saints on in their faith and to correct some misbehavior within the church. In the first chapter of the book, James writes that believers should consider it (chara) or cheerfulness whenever they experience various trials:
“Consider it pure joy [chara], my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4, NIV).
James’ reference to joy in the midst of trials demonstrates that this type of joy is not conditional. That if you have a good life without trials, then you would experience this chara. In fact, he says you are to count it pure chara when you experience trials. He says that trials test their faith and then produce perseverance. Through perseverance, God will mature the believer, or in some translations it says made “perfect,” meaning complete or whole, not sinless.
So chara isn’t ignoring the trial, but it is acknowledging the trial, recognizing that God allowed it, so He will use it. He will use it to birth patience and wholeness out of you. If you are willing to ask God for His perspective and a willing heart to grow.
So, whether your find yourself in the monotony of life or walking through an unexpected trial, I would to encourage you that God is faithful. His faithfulness is not dependent on our circumstances. Scripture tells us when we abide in Him, He will make our joy complete. It is a fruit of His Spirit in us.
SO here is how I restore joy…
When I find myself in challenging “trials,” I ask the Lord for His perspective. I try to reorient my heart. Not because God is the cause of the trial, but because I believe He uses all things in our lives to grow us.
My first time in the morning is spent in the Word. I desire to get God’s word in my heart. It sets the tone for my day.
I literally pray without ceasing all day long. Not necessarily out loud, but when I am interacting with kids, going about my day, in my thankfulness and frustration, I find myself praying to God and listening for His voice. I find I respond better to situations
I surround myself with like-minded mamas. I need friends who will call me out when my attitude isn’t right or I am straying.
God made me an individual. I am not just a wife and mother. I am God’s daughter. With that said, I have creative outlets for myself like baking sourdough, writing, and exercising. I find that when I do the things that I enjoy, I am able to be grounded in the Lord.