She Chose Joy

By Bernadine May 15, 2015 Devotion, Inspirational, Life, Women

She lived a few houses down from me. She was often outside working in her yard or sitting on her front porch reading. We’d wave when I drove by and sometimes I’d pull over and chat with her for a few minutes. One thing I noticed in the years that we shared the same neighborhood was that she was always smiling.

It was after I came home from a short vacation that I realized I hadn’t seen her in a while. I asked my next door neighbor if she’d seen her recently. It was then I learned that she had moved. She had lost her house to foreclosure. I was shocked. She always seemed so happy, I couldn’t believe what she had been dealing with.

A few weeks later I was out when I heard someone calling my name and waving wildly at me. It was her. I happily went over and hugged her. I told her how sorry I was that she had lost her house. I also mentioned that I never would have guessed she was dealing with something of that magnitude because she always seemed so happy. Her reply lingered with me. She told me that she’d known for some months that it was going to happen. There was nothing she could do to stop it so she decided to enjoy the time she had left in her home.

She described her apartment that she now calls home to me and told me how she decorated it so that it was now her little sanctuary. She talked with the same joy and enthusiasm that she displayed when we’d chat outside her house. She had true inner joy.

28 You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
Acts 2:28 (NLT)

In the midst of a huge loss, she chose joy.

In the face of something that would cause many to crumble she chose joy.

It’s so easy to get bitter, to drown in self-pity and regrets when life becomes difficult and it seems as if everything is going wrong. However, my neighbor showed by her actions that she believes that even in the bad times God is always good and worthy to be praised.

To those who may be going through stories of their own that no one knows about,

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NLT)

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18 thoughts on “She Chose Joy”

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Iris May 16, 2015 at 06:29

Oh Bernadine, what a beautiful message. Yes, days can get hard, walking in the valley. But you former neighbor is such an example to how to move forward in the dark days. Thank you for sharing this story.
1. Bernadine May 18, 2015 at 11:48
  
  Thank you Iris, sometimes when I’m going through my valleys I’m reminded by stories like this that even in the valley it’s possible to maintain my joy.
Barbie May 16, 2015 at 08:55

Thank you.
1. Bernadine May 18, 2015 at 11:49
  
  You’re welcome, Barbie:)
Saleslady371 May 17, 2015 at 10:48

I love the way you wrote this. It’s a great lesson and I embrace it today. We’re just passing through. It’s not about what we own. It’s about Jesus and He gives joy!

Love,
Mary
1. Bernadine May 18, 2015 at 11:50
  
  Thank you, Mary. That’s so true, it is all about Jesus!
Laurie May 17, 2015 at 22:13

Awesome! Oh that is exaclty what I want to have …joy no matter what my circumstances. Thanks for sharing. ((hugs))
1. Bernadine May 18, 2015 at 11:51
  
  You’re welcome, Laurie. God bless.
Angela May 18, 2015 at 06:40

amen amen amen
1. Bernadine May 18, 2015 at 11:55
  
  Amen!:) God bless.
Cheryl Smith May 19, 2015 at 14:46

What a precious, sweet story! And what a dear lady! Bless her heart. This is so sad, but she has made the best of her situation, encouraging and inspiring you….and now US, in the process. Thank you ever so much for sharing her story with us here. She will never know how far her influence will travel. God uses the situations of our lives to bring hope to others who are walking or will walk through similar circumstances. God bless you, Bernadine. You are a blessing to me!
1. Bernadine May 20, 2015 at 09:10
  
  Thank you so much for your sweet comment Cheryl. You are a blessing to me also. I agree, it’s amazing how “God uses the situations of our lives to bring hope to others who are walking or will walk through similar circumstances.”
Wanda May 19, 2015 at 17:16

What a beautiful story and reminder that no matter what we are going through we do have a choice in how we go through it all.
1. Bernadine May 20, 2015 at 09:11
  
  Thanks for stopping by Wanda. So true that we have a choice in how we react to the situations that we are faced with in life.
Sherri Evans May 19, 2015 at 21:50

So simple. Yet profound. Thanks, Bernadine. I am inspired! I will choose joy.
1. Bernadine May 20, 2015 at 09:15
  
  You’re welcome Sherri. I will also choose joy!
Susan Kinney June 14, 2015 at 04:34

Hi Bernadine! How very precious of you to share this post in honor of your friend! I’m thrilled that she choose joy in spite of her circumstances. She was faithful and in that choice she is living a blessed life that is not dependent on ‘stuff’! She is amazing! Thank you for sharing her story! Blessings!