Carrying It All With Joy

This season of my life has been ALOT! My writing journey has been long, hard, stretching, and yet still so amazing. Right now, I have so many things going on at once, promoting my book, creating material for new ones, managing life at home, pouring into my nonprofit Heart Outreach Inc., keeping up with doctor's appointments, going to afterschool sporting activities, teaching children's church, attending bible studies, being on prayer calls, all while still working a fulltime job. I know for a fact, the version of me from six months ago would have been overwhelmed, stressed out, and probably ready to crash out. But something is different now. And I know I say this often, but I will never stop saying it, all honor and all glory belongs to God. Because the truth is, He is the only reason I'm able to carry all of this and still have peace in my mind and joy in my heart.

I actually mean joy, not happiness (there is a difference). I have the kind of joy that doesn't make sense when I look at my workload. The kind of joy that shows up in the middle of long days and late nights. I still smile, I still have a heart to serve, and I still wake up ready to do it all over again. As I was sitting down yesterday talking about it with my Cheetah Sisters (bestie text group), it finally hit me. I understand now what people mean when they say, "I love what I do." Because even though it gets hard, even though it can feel like a lot, even though there are long nights and moments where I have to push through, none of that outweighs the fulfillment I feel knowing that what I'm doing is encouraging others and pleasing God. When your good works are grounded in faith, they are never in vain.

In the middle of reflecting on everything, I woke up this morning and couldn't help but think about that old church song: This joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me. The world didn't give it, and the world can't take it away. Because the truth is, this kind of joy doesn't come from having everything easy. It doesn't come from having a light schedule or a stress-free life. It comes from being aligned with God. It comes with walking in purpose. It comes from knowing when life feels full, your spirit is still being sustained. So, if you're in a season where life feels heavy, busy, or even overwhelming, I want to encourage you: Make sure what you're carrying is connected to your calling. Because when it is, God will give you the grace, the strength, and the joy to carry it well.