. the JOY of the LORD .

there isn't a day that passes that i don't seek out a special Bible verse to get me through, whether the day be the happiest of all or the most difficult.  i put this platter up on my cabinet and decided to use it to display that special verse to remind myself of it constantly throughout the remainder of the day.  {maybe i'll share those with you more often.}  but i simply use a dry erase marker to write a verse or a quote and wipe it off day to day in preparation for the next days word.  it sounds silly, but i rely on this daily.  sometimes i go several days without a new verse, but the one that is on there is a constant reminder and encouragement to me.

today was like no other.  but when i woke up this morning i just felt deep down that it was going to be a hard one.  have you ever done that?  it probably just meant that i needed another hour of sleep or that i should have actually gone to the gym today, but that feeling was just there.

immediately i thought of this ...

 

i prayed that verse early this morning, but i forgot to write it on my platter.  the girls woke up early, i had to get breakfast, sweet baby wasn't being so sweet.  and the morning just past quickly.

i was right. today has been difficult.  but i have a special friend that i rely on to pray for me when need be, so i emailed her simply asking for a prayer.  she emailed back and said she was praying that i "always feel the truth of Nehemiah 8:10" and she quoted the verse.

that verse?  you guessed it.  when i read her email, my heart sank.  i replied a simple "thank you", grabbed my little marker and scribbled away.  God knew i needed His words today in a big way.   He sent those words to my sweet friend, who didn't know my need at the time.  and she won't know until she reads my blog next time how important her words always are to me.

thank you Jesus for your words.  thank you that they come fast when i need them the most.  and thank you for sweet friends who you use to lift me and guide me.  i pray today that Your joy is my strength every. single. day.  amen.