Joy: A Spiritual Discipline to Cultivate

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Teatime habits, mornings of quiet and contemplation, fills the soul with faith, courage, inspiration to live life well and purposefully. SBC

After a week of adventures and many walks through thousands of blooming flowers and trees gave me a lift—spring is on its way. Miss tea cup and I drank in all the sublime beauty and she wanted to get as close as possible to smell the flowers all around. Can you spot her?

Our world is very troubled now and has been for a long time. Yet, I have learned that cultivating joy, being a light bearer is a spiritual discipline to practice, employ in the demands of every day life. It is natural to listen to the voices of gloom and doom, it is supernatural—Holy Spirit filled—to live a life of hope and serving others in the hope we find in Christ.

Trips with friends, my children, meetings, deadlines filled my days but I also made time to cultivate memories and to pass on encouragement to several around me. As I practice encouragement, my own soul is lifted.

This week I interview a friend whose life is given to encouraging and inspiring others: Liz Hoare, a tutor at Wycliffe Hall here in Oxford. You will be so encouraged!

I also speak of books for this time that speak of journeys through times of war that might spark the right kind of conversations with your older children. (The Hiding Place and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Raspberries with Lemon Yoghurt, whip cream and a drizzle of honey is amazing.

There are songs, pondering, all sorts of tales and encouragement this week. Enjoy a few refreshing moments and listen. I wish you peace in your heart this week.

Remember: "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

- Corrie Ten Boom