January is for… Joy?

When most northern-residing people think of January, the word “joy” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.  January follows the exciting seasons of Advent and Christmas and it doesn’t seem to have much going for it.  Retailers attempt to rally our spirits by selling us a new year for a new us—organized, sanitized, exercised.  With all this dreary weather, post-holiday doldrums, and corporate manipulation it’s easy to start feeling down.  Thankfully we don’t have to let these downers define how we experience this month. 

God’s love is a continuous source of joy.  I think, though, that during these darker days its light shines especially bright.  Instead of complaining and allowing myself to be miserable (as I am accustomed to doing at this time of year), I have been making an effort to maintain an attitude of gratefulness.  When you’re busy being thankful and seeing the blessings around you it’s harder to be brought down by these other influences.  

What are you grateful for? How do you experience joy during January?

Here’s a list of a few things that I am thankful for and joyful about: 

1.       Family, friends, safety, good food, warm apartment, health

2.       God’s tenderness toward our concerns and longings

3.       Living simply

4.       Tea

5.       Learning new skills (I’m learning to sew!)

6.       Marriage- and all the hard lessons that come with it

7.       The example of Jesus- especially his radical unprejudiced love and boldness in the face of injustice

Here’s to a joyful January.

Editorial note: Once again while posted by Chris this was written by Anya.