I went to a church women’s retreat this weekend. It was a wonderful little getaway to Charlotte. The retreat lasted from Friday night until Saturday afternoon. It was the perfect amount of time to refresh, get connected with the Lord, and have great time with girlfriends. And just enough time so that when I started missing my boys at home, it was time to come home.
Two of my good friends also went up there and we had the best talks in the car on the way up to Charlotte. There is something so rejuvenating about getting so much time to laugh.
The sessions on Friday night and Saturday morning were just what I needed to hear. On Saturday morning, we heard a great word. We focused on joy and seeing the beauty in the little things.
This verse was referenced and it really spoke to me.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
I started to think about the past few weeks we have had. All of the hassle we have gone through with Hayes’s doc band. The ear infections and the tubes. Hudson’s sickness and general toddler struggles. And then Hayes catching what Hudson had. Our anxiousness to sell our house and Todd’s stress at work. We’ve been pulled in a million different directions with our responsibilities. We’ve been stepping in to help each other with the boys as we have been tied down to our responsibilities. We’ve spent so little time together as a family of four in the past few weeks.
Life is happening. We’re just busy.
But we have so many reasons to rejoice. We are thankful. While our kids are sick, they are generally healthy. Todd has a job. We have a roof over our heads. We have family and friends that care about us.
The many, many reasons to rejoice don’t take away the hard times, but they are a reminder that God is there. He isn’t leaving us and he puts so many things right in our view every single day to remind us of that.
The gorgeous spring that we’re having already. The beautiful dogwood trees that line our street that serve as a reminder of the cross. The full moon last week was incredible. The vibrant colors on the azalea bushes. Christian radio when I’m in the car with screaming babies. It speaks to me and reminds me to be peaceful.
So I will be joyful. As things distract me and and pull me from Him, I will remember to rejoice. I will be joyful in God my Savior.
i needed this today.
Me too!
I definitely needed to hear this today. So funny because something similar has been on my heart this week after listening to myself complain and be bitter about things that are so not important. Thank you for writing this!
Erin, you have no idea how much I needed to hear this today. Charlotte has been extremely sick for the past 3 days, and I have been sick myself with Andrew working late and I’ve become very behind in school. This reminder makes me hopeful to see the little joys during a stressful time, and I really thank you for sharing this verse. God bless you.
Love this, Erin. I just said nearly the same thing to myself yesterday…and my son is going back to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital next Tuesday for a 2nd followup evaluation to get a helmet…poor little guys. They do look so daggone cute in those helmets, though. Or doc band in Hayes’ case. 🙂
Just wondering also, ever have a winner for that Baby Einstein giveaway?? 🙂
Great post!
Not sure how you did it, but your post today just spoke directly to my heart and was just what I needed to hear. Thank you for posting!
Thank you for posting this today. I really needed to hear this. Have to see the “God spots” everyday.
I’m trying to be joyful. Sometimes it’s so hard. I listen to Christian music in the car too and it helps me SO much. I can’t even explain how it grounds me before and after work.
Amen and amen!
Great reminder to us all. I needed to hear this today. Thanks <3
God will honor your faithfulness to Him!!! Your joyfulness will spread to those your around 🙂
I went to a woman’s retreat shortly after the girls were born and it was so refreshing. It was also about joy and not letting anyone or anything steal your joy. Prayers going up for you and all that you have going.
amen! xoxo
Your retreat sounded wonderful! And thank you for spreading the joy!
It is easy to lose sight of what’s important when there’s so much going on but God always finds a way to help you maintain perspective. Love how He does that. Glad you enjoyed the retreat!
Wow! Love it! I needed this reminder! Thank you!
Thank you for this reminder. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in all the craziness of life.
Thank you so much for posting this! What a wonderful reminder to always be joyful and give thanks. 🙂
Erin I love this. So many times I feel like you speak to me in similar things I’m going through with a 3 yr old and 6 month old. It is exhausting! But I love my life and feel so blessed to get to stay home now. If it were not for my Jesus Calling app I don’t know if I’d make it haha! I pray for patience all the time and constantly feel pulled from God in every direction. Just yesterday a trip to Target with Ryder having a tantrum, typical traffic and Brynley fussy and screaming it was like “God I’m trying here but please why do i get in these situations when I’m so struggling for patience. And then it hits me! God is trying to teach me at that very moment to breathe before reacting, to speak softly and calmly and just BE still. Love this! So glad you got to get away for a bit to recharge