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One of the most common phrases I’ve written in response to the Ask Joy emails I’ve received over the years is, “God is not trying to trick you.” I believe this old post–which I’ve updated for today–is an example of what triggers this type of question. But it also gets at the deeper issue we all need to face when we’re left wondering if we’ve misunderstood “God’s leading” in our life.
We may even wonder, “God, did you lie to me? Do you even care?”
As a single woman in my thirties, my current M.O. is to go out with pretty much anyone at least once. A new-ish friend asked if I would go out with a guy she knew, and while he looked slightly older, I didn’t know he was a solid two decades my senior.
Taking a bite of my pizza, I heard him ask the age old question, “What’s your favorite movie?”
“Hook,” I said.
Surprised, he shot back the very question I was thinking, “How old are you?”
“30. And you?”
“50.” Read more
Recently my brother sent me a picture of Jackson, my 3-year-old nephew, photocopying one of his storybooks. My brother realized the reason he was doing this was because he had seen my brother making photocopies from one of his own books. Children watch and copy.
My friend, Tim, knows the patterns he lives out will be the standard his daughters will grow to expect from the future men in their lives. This is my favorite part about this post. As I think about my future sons, or even my friends’ children who are watching me, I hope the model of how I treat and speak about others is something worthy of being copied. Read more
I want to be a generous person.
As I think about how to be generous with my time, finances and love, I know that usually the best way is what is taught in Matthew 6—giving privately.
Easier said than done.
The only people I know who don’t want to be intimately known are those who have been deeply hurt.
The fear of being exposed or hurt again keeps us private. And while being known by our fellow man is scary enough, it’s sometimes even harder to believe that there is a God who knows us, loves us, and is good.
“Delay is not denial.”
Once again, my favorite devotional says it so well. Ponder this as you think about the things that God seems to be forgetting or delaying for you.
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