Hope and Joy

I haven’t always been a “glass is half full” kind of girl. In fact, up until about five years ago, I was always the “glass is half empty, but hopeful someone would come along one day and top it off for me” kind of girl. In mid 2004, my world was rocked and the aftermath was nothing but an empty cup. I was lost…and instead of having a soul searching moment during that low point in my life, I decided I would do what every other non self respecting woman would do in the situation and I made another wrong decision, to be more specific, a Mr. Wrong Decision. Christmas of 2004 was heart wearingly miserable and awkward. Although I put on my happy façade, my emptied HOPE tank was coming to a puttering halt. You see, I had it all wrong that year and for many years before that. I was the girl that needed and wanted to feel true love and would constantly try to fill the empty void in my heart with the next “best” relationship. It was the Marine Corp man, the college party guy, the Army man turned husband, and then THE REBOUND! (Insert scary movie music here).

For many Christmases, although I had experienced moments of happiness, I hadn’t felt nor discovered true joy. I like to think of 2004 as my breaking point year and 2005 was my buildup year. In January 2006, I had hidden blessing after blessing and they knocked me on my knees until true Joy was revealed to me. It was my year of discovery. I realized what was missing in my life was indeed the best relationship, my relationship with Christ. Once I experienced Him, I experienced joy and peace like I had never known before and it poured everything into my Hope tank then ran over into my cup until it was half full. This year, I experienced a miracle in the birth of my little girl. I look at her daily and think I have been undeservingly blessed. She brings me a happiness I have never experienced and it makes me wonder…what would the world be like if we didn’t have hope and joy? What would it be like if we didn’t have Christmas? what would it be like if we didn’t have Christ?

During a time of year when it is more difficult to cope with loved ones lost, relationships broken, and financial hardships, I hope you may find Hope and Joy.

*My favorite ornament this year. I can’t imagine the hope and joy Joseph and Mary felt in that moment of Jesus’ birth…

*one of our most special ornaments

With Love,

Stacy Hart