Counting It All Joy

Heaven knows that I have been working on my counting skills.  


It seems as though I'm counting all day long with my kindergartener and preschooler.


Between counting the ornaments on the tree, stars in the night sky, neighborhood houses with twinkling lights or days until Christmas, I think it's safe to say that I've pretty much perfected counting.


In fact, this week I have also mastered counting of a more personal nature.  


I've taken up the art of counting (begrudgingly) how many days I have had to spend without sugar, the number of Legos spilled on the floor, how many dirty diapers I've changed, the last time I slept straight through the night (last Saturday), the record amount of rain that has fallen, the number of times I have had to redirect our ever-so-spirited newly walking little one (who's getting into SO MUCH MORE now that he can reach it while standing!) -- but most of all, how many hours and days I have endured with my 3 (active) little boys while my sweetheart has been gone across the country this week (we're on day 4 of 6 days, just in case you're counting!).


And now, the culmination of all this counting has added up to quiet a fantastic pity party!  Truly a grander one than most!


And yet, a still small voice reminds me that counting of a different nature is much more glorious still.


"...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." ~James 1:2-3


I also love the NIV version, "consider it PURE JOY"...whenever you face trials of many kinds".


Hmm, "pure joy" does not come to mind when I think about my list I've been accumulating this week...


Joy.


PURE Joy.


Let's see...


The fact that we only have 2 days left until my sweetheart returns home, THAT brings me joy.


Our 4 year old was an incredible listener yesterday with all that was asked of him, even when his older brother chose otherwise.  Seeing P work so hard brought tremendous joy and celebration to this heart of mine.


The northwest rain has stopped and the sun has broken through the clouds...for me, THAT brings unspeakable joy.


My mother-in-laws amazing generosity with our boys this week blessed me beyond words.  Joy.


What's amazing to me is that my simple mind can not hold count of my ever growing list of grievances while I am counting my joy list!


THAT, my friends, is a beautiful thing, indeed.


So, here's to a day filled with PURE JOY, regardless of the circumstances!


(The picture on top reminds me of what joy looks like when it bubbles up from the inside out!)