This is me (right side) with my sisters.

A Joyful Heart

There was a time in my life that I felt so lonely, I was not alone and yet so lonely. My family was with me, friends, church mates, with all the activities and involvements that I have. What happen.... I am a person who loves to laugh, enjoys company, can create an atmosphere that draws people to fellowship together and linger for more to have fun. Have I lost my purpose? Have I lost my focus? Time to reflect. To seek and listen. To go back to the source of JOY.. Yes! I lost the joy in my heart. Where can I find it? Thank be to God for He is always there! One morning while I was having my usual devotion time His word reminded me,

Psalm 51:11-12
"Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you."

It is the PRESENCE OF GOD that I miss! My daily devotion has become an ordinary daily ritual that I have lost the intimacy of His presence. It was like doing the routine, having my regular meals, the normal going out and coming in to the house, the daily bathing, cooking, talking to people, performing my duty. I forgot that my time alone with my Master is not an ordinary time, it is not something that can be settled for less, this is not just doing the usual thing. My time alone with my Master is something that I should be prepared of, a time of great expectation, to look forward to new things, new experience, new message, new level of intimacy, to hear Him speak, to see Him move, and to join Him in what He is doing.

Praise God! Coming into His PRESENCE restores the JOY in my heart!

Are you lonely? Have you lost your joy? Go back to the main source of JOY. Go back to the PRESENCE OF GOD. He is waiting for you.


Diane A.