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Every day I am reminded to be joyful, reminded by Scripture, my husband, the people around me, and my precious (I’m a little biased) baby girl. Life has drastically changed since adding HG to our family.  I worry a lot.  I get stressed out about things that I would have never even thought to stress out about a few months ago.  My days are full of changing diapers, feeding, and cleaning. At times it’s hard to find joy with my monotonous routine. 

The Lord is gently reminding me that joy is not something I produce, but comes from Him. It is the joy that I have through Christ that overflows into my own life. Looking back at the first month of HG’s life, I see how the Lord has provided a joyful heart for me even when I didn’t realize it. You see, when a baby is crying wailing throughout the night and you have done everything in your power to comfort her, you do not have joy. There is no way you can produce any kind of joy at 2 a.m. after a week of sleepless nights. It is at those breaking points that I have to ask the Lord to provide me with a joyful heart. I want to be patient and love my newborn well, but my selfish heart fights being joyful in those times.

I can distinctly remember one night where I was up with HG, and we were both crying and having trouble with feeding. I remember holding her to my chest and telling her the story of Jesus. I started from Genesis and went through the promise of Jesus returning one day. There was stillness. No crying (from her or me), just a peace. In that moment I was greatly reminded of the joy that Jesus brings us, and of the hope that He gives to me, a lowly sinner, every day. A rush of emotions hit me, possibly some from post-pregnancy wacked up hormones, but the emotion of thankfulness of the Gospel hit me so hard that tears began to fall down my face. 

In Jerry Bridges book, The Discipline of Grace, he talks about how we must preach the Gospel to ourselves daily, not just on Sundays and at small group, but daily. When we wake up in the morning, change diapers, study for a test, cook dinner, and finally lay our heads down at night, we should mediate on the Gospel. Preaching the gospel to ourselves daily reminds us of the joy that we have in Christ. I pray that I would preach the Gospel to myself daily, because goodness gracious I need it! 

Joyful reminders hit me from all over; from a little smiling face, to my wonderful husband, to our supportive family and friends, but most importantly, from the Gospel.  

Laura and her husband L moved to Wake Forest in May 2010.  Once they arrived at SEBTS, God directed their hearts to overseas missions.  L and Laura are in the 2+2 program and will be deploying in 2013.  This past September they welcomed HG to their family.  Laura is a member of The Summit and works part-time in the Women’s Life Office.

Re-blogged from Alison's blog, heperfectlypursues

A few friends and I meet every Wednesday to worship and pray together. This past week, the mood seemed heavy. It had been raining all day, it was freezing outside, and we are in the middle of midterms. It was obvious that we were lacking joy and that we needed to come before the Father to refocus and to cast our cares on Him. We worshiped and got our minds off of ourselves and our circumstances and onto the Lord who is sovereign, good, and wise. After a few songs, one of my friends asked us the question: what gives you joy?  

We all just sat there for a moment and eventually started throwing things out there. Just going to be real, watching Baby Mama brings me immense amounts of joy. It then started to get more specific and personal…We are all thankful that Ephesians 2 describes the reality of our lives. It gives us joy that we were dead in our sin and separated from God when He made a way through Christ for us to know Him and walk with him. We also agreed that laughter and time spent with friends brings us much joy. The kindergarten teacher in our group shared how she loves helping kids learn and obey. The intern at a church said that he loves sharing what God is doing in his life through sharing his testimony. I realized that nothing gives me more joy than helping younger girls walk with Christ.

During my fall break a few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to spend 2 days in Chapel Hill. I literally got to sit outside the union one afternoon as younger girls that I absolutely adore came to catch up with me – one after another, hour after hour.  I got to hear how some of these girls that I discipled in college are now discipling freshmen at UNC and they basically told me over and over again about how much they love God. I seriously could not stop smiling the entire day.

I am so humbled at the goodness of God. He gives us gifts and passions for His glory as well as our good – to serve others as well as to give us joy. What are you passionate about? What part of God’s heart and concern for the world has he given you? What present reality makes you mad? What consistently comes to mind at random times of the day or keeps you up at night? What is life-giving to you? What gives you joy?

Whatever it is, pursue it. I’m not kidding. 

Alison Singewald says, "My life consists of God’s perfect pursuit of me and my imperfect yet striving pursuit of Him. I grew up in Wisconsin but am more than content living in North Carolina. I graduated in May 2011 from UNC-Chapel Hill and will forever be a Tar Heel." Alison is currently pursuing her masters in Biblical Counseling and LPC (licensed professional counseling degree through the state) at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.

Reblogged from Alison Lawson's Blog, Footprints
November 18, 2011

The world today appears to be moving at a faster, more hectic pace than ever before, and in the midst of so many obligations, gratitude seems like a vanishing trait, destined for an untimely death.

Perhaps we formally give thanks for a present out of an implicit obligation or because a parent trained us in that habit, but what about other kind gestures and intangible gifts offered to us for which we never consider giving thanks?

I recently spoke on this topic to a group of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). In preparing for the talk, I discovered many reasons for the general lack of gratitude that exists today. I even proposed ideas for overcoming our negligence in this area and becoming more intentional with our thanksgiving.

However, it occurred to me that, in this very busy world, numerous suggestions for being a more grateful person will have no effect if one does not understand WHY it is important to adopt a permanent attitude of thankfulness.

While gratitude may seem “optional,” perhaps we should consider making it a personal “requirement” and discipline in our lives that eventually evolves into a characteristic of who we are rather than an action carried out only once a year on a designated day or out of habit for a specific occasion.

Why? Because gratitude is important and makes a difference!

A thankful person is a more joyful and content person, recognizing and appreciating life’s many blessings rather than coveting what she lacks.

A habit of thanksgiving also improves relationships, including marriages. Showing and telling your spouse how thankful you are for him is certain to make him feel loved and respected, a key aspect to a flourishing marriage.

Additionally, studies have found that grateful families who express their appreciation for one another are also stronger, healthier families. Children tend to be less materialistic, better students, and overall happier. An attitude of gratitude is a legacy parents can pass down to their offspring, potentially influencing many generations!

A grateful heart encourages others. People like being recognized, their talents being noticed, and their gifts being appreciated. A simple “thank you” has potential to brighten another’s day, perhaps arriving when most needed, and be a blessing for all involved.

Most importantly, choosing to have an attitude of gratitude every day honors the Lord. Ultimately, all gifts and blessings are from Him. Complaining and coveting reflects poorly on the God who created us, sustains our lives, and blesses us in ways we may never fully identify or comprehend.

Furthermore, God has given us the best Gift possible, His Son Jesus. A relationship with God through Jesus grants us not only eternal life, but also an enduring peace that sustains us in times of trials and frustrations and enables us to always be thankful.

When we set aside disappointments and instead choose to be grateful every day in every situation, looking for the blessings in life, we positively reflect our faith in God to those around us, drawing others not only to ourselves, but also to Him.

Gratitude makes a difference in our own lives as well as the lives of those around us, while also honoring God who has given us so much for which to be thankful. Giving thanks should not be reserved for one day, or even one month of the year, but should instead be an attitude we adopt and share every day.

“Rejoice always…in everything give thanks…” 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18a

Alison Lawson is married to  Mike Lawson who is the the Director of Campus Security at Southeastern. They have three wonderful boys and thank the Lord for them. Alison says, "We experience both joys and trials, good times and hard times. Our lives are far from perfect, but they are filled with God's goodness and grace. To God be the glory." You can check out more from Alison on her family blog, Footprints.