Prayer Journal #8

 My devotion today was about being responsible for our own joy.  The verse was one of my favorites from Philippians, 4: 4.  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!"  

The devotion focused on how we are responsible for our own joy; it is not dependent on other people.  The "fruit" of self-control was also mentioned and discussed.

How appropriate for today!  I have been 'over the moon' happy about our three latest home improvements.  First the bathroom was painted and we didn't have to do it!  The unpainted spot behind the toilet has been covered. The uneven edges and missed spots are gone.  It just looks good.  Then the two new additions from Bee Windows:  a new patio door and a new awning window in the master bath. I love them both, but I am really enjoying opening the bathroom window each morning to let the steam from my shower out of the bathroom.  Finally...the flooring.  I absolutely LOVE the new flooring in all three rooms.  The kitchen/dining room looks so much better, especially with the new molding and the new rugs.  The bathrooms just pop now.   We have had some great reactions to our projects---and a few that have been not so great.  But that is ok.  The lack of enthusiasm or negative feedback is not going to dampen how I feel about what we have done. 

I am responsible for my own joy.

The prayer today:

"Father, help me take responsibility for my own joy by no longer blaming others if I am unhappy.  I recognize that I have self-control as a gift from You and I ask that You help me start using it on a regular basis.  Thank You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."