ALL Y'ALL

 Joy of the Lord ~ Rend Collective

 

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”

~ Psalm 126:2 NIV

 

Do you ever think that sometimes Jesus tickles us, just to enjoy the sound of our laughter?

 

Our family devotional, yesterday, was on James 1:2, to count it all joy when we’re enduring trials. The devotional made the distinction between happiness (based on circumstances), and joy. Because joy is a fruit of the Spirit, it’s a gift from Holy Spirit that’s available to all believers, all the time.

 

Yesterday, I said that our family is walking through fire. Some days haven’t been happy. Several moments have been frustrating and overwhelming. But I asked the Lord to help me keep my eyes on Jesus, so that I can serve my family with love, compassion, and joy. Not only has the Lord been faithful, but there have been times when He tickles me, just to enjoy the sound of my laughter.

 

Yesterday, God had me giggling, and just about out-right laughing! After living in Florida for almost two decades, y’all flows out of my mouth just as easily as bubbler. In our Bible study yesterday, Jen Wilkin shared that when Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth,” He meant a collective you: y’all. That’s when I started giggling. Each time she said, “y’all”, I giggled more. The best part was when she emphasized that “you” meant all believers and was really “all y’all”. I could barely contain myself. It was great!

 

In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus said that if your son asks for bread, you won’t give him a stone, instead. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Regardless of the events that happen today, remember we have a good Father in heaven who loves us, always walks with us, and sometimes tickles us, just so He can enjoy the sound of our laughter.

©Heather Potts 2024

Soul Refreshment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHmO7cRRZac

Dear God ~ Cory Asbury

he refreshes my soul... ~ Psalms 23:3 NIV

We all need a touch from God, a whisper, a reminder that He's with us. Maybe it’s been a rough week, but you received a call, email, or letter, letting you know that you are loved - that was God. Maybe it’s your birthday and you're feeling a little down because things didn't go as planned, but there’s a surprise birthday parade past your house - that was God. Maybe, like at our house, your youngest child had another bad dream and ended up in your bed, but an hour later, woke you with her laughter as she dreamt about something wonderful - that was God.

We never know when or how God will show up to refresh our souls, but as we look for Him, we're sure to find Him. This year might not be going as you planned. The school year might close differently than you'd hoped and expected, but during each leg of the journey, God has been there. 

If, today, you feel as though you need a touch, a hug, a smile, or just a word of encouragement from your heavenly Father, don't fret. He's always with you and is sending refreshment to your soul, often in surprising ways.

©Heather Potts 2020

Rollercoasters

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!

If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.

~ Psalm 139:7, 9-10 NLT

You know those people who, while riding rollercoasters, throw their hands up, laugh, and seem to really be enjoying the ride? I’m not that person. But somehow, I got talked into riding the Cheetah at Busch Gardens. A friend convinced me that this ride didn’t feel at all like a rollercoaster and I’d like it. The ride was everything I expected… It was smooth, fast, and SCARY! I screamed and cried the WHOLE ride, and continued to cry and shake when it was over.

Recently, I was talking with a friend and likened my life to that of a rollercoaster: fast, out of my control, and filled with lots of turns and drops. I wanted life to feel more like a smooth cruise down a lazy river. But that’s not reality. And truly, we’re much stronger now than we’ve ever been.

So why the fear? The sudden curves tend to catch me off guard. But through my dependence upon and closeness with Christ, I’m better able to be like the other rollercoaster riders: throwing my hands in the air, relinquishing my control, and laughing, remembering that through Christ we have the victory and He will bring us through this, too.

If, like me, you’ve been looking for a way off the rollercoaster of your life, then it’s time we change our perspective. Christ came so we could have life to the fullest, which include victory and laughter. I’ve discovered the closer I draw to Christ, I’m purposefully throwing my hands up in joy and praise, laughing as I realize I was never in control of anything.

©Heather Potts 2016

Was It a Bad Day?

I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God. ~ Psalm 9:1-2 MSG

Maybe your day went something like this: Your 20-minute drive to the doctor took 100 minutes because traffic was at a dead-stop on the interstate. And after leaving the office, you had to go to the bathroom really badly, so you stopped into a fast-food restaurant across the street (because you were too shy/embarrassed to ask to use the bathroom at your doctor’s office). But when you were ready to leave, you discovered the lock on your stall door was jammed. You perused your options: call for help, try to scale the stall wall, or drag yourself out underneath the door and pray you fit. You chose option #3, praying the whole time that no one would come in—not because you’d be embarrassed to be caught, but because the door would likely smash into your head upon their entry. You safely escape that episode, drive to your friend’s to pick-up your kids to take them home for nap time. Your day looks brighter now…until your almost 4-year-old gushes pee onto the floor in front of the toy bin. But she did it just for you because she didn’t want to have an accident on your new couch…

Drs. Cloud and Townsend define a boundary as a way of defining ownership of feelings, attitudes, and behaviors, because when we understand who owns what, we know who must take responsibility for it. I am responsible for my feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. Others can’t make me feel frustrated or happy. I am responsible to choose how I will respond to circumstances. That means, you can choose to laugh off the entire day—maybe even write about it as a way to encourage others—or sit down and cry, focusing only on the negative events. Which will you choose?

©Heather Potts 2016