Choose Joy {Free Printable}

Lately I've been feeling kinda far from God. I didn't understand why. I pray every day and have been trying to have a set morning time for more deep prayer and Bible reading. I may not sit down and study like I used to, but I do read scriptures and meditate on them.

In these moments, I always start to question what I'm doing. Is it this blog? Is it my priorities around the home {or lack of}? Am I reading what I'm suppose to? Am I doing what I'm suppose to? Time and time again, I realize how hard I am on myself. My personal expectations. It's like I can't make a mistake. I have lost sight of being merciful to my own person. 

I've been talking to God about this for a while because I don't want to be going astray and I want to make sure my motives are correct in everything I do. It was yesterday as I pulled into our garage that I felt something inside of me. There was a song playing and I felt this excitement come up from my soul. David and I had just come from a local produce place and thrift store. He watched from the back seat as I jumped out of the car, singing and dancing, practically in tears. It had been so long since I felt that way. Since I felt joy.

I'm not saying I'm unhappy. I absolutely adore my husband and son. Being a stay at home {wannabe work at home} mommy is one of the biggest blessings I have. Yet days go by, and I feel disconnected from everything. Not necessarily my family but from my calling. It is then I have to remind myself that part of my calling is to provide a loving home to uplift my husband and train up my son. The other part is to just love God with everything I have and obey His word. And choose joy. Yes, I must choose joy!

 {Free printable} Right click, save to your computer & print

Joy is not a feel-good feeling. It isn't a happy-go-lucky jackpot that if you put in a few quarters, you get a couple of hours of it. Joy is a choice. It is you actually telling yesterday's mistakes and today's expectations: "Listen, no matter what goes down, I am choosing to be happy. I'm blessed and nothing is going to tear me down, not even my bad attitude. The enemy wants to see me gloomy but I am choosing to be joyful!"

When I don't choose joy, I stay in a selfish state of "poor-me's." I'm the queen of my own pity-party; the princess to my wallow brigade...the beggar at the foot of my own table. I end up choosing sorrow which is what Jesus saved me from so long ago! Why do I go back and why do I want to? The thing is, it's comfortable. Being grouchy and sad is normal for us sometimes. It's sick but true.

Today, don't hide behind a frown mask. Whatever expectations you have of yourself, remember that we must put ALL expectations on God!

Psalm 62:5 says "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."

I can expect great things from God because He is all powerful and all knowing! I am but a sinner trying to get through this life, in a world that is not my home. Today, I am letting go of yesterday's mistakes because His mercy covers them and His grace buries them! I'm washed by His blood and redeemed for a purpose. His purpose! It's not about me and so I choose joy because when I do, others will see it. They will experience His joy and will see that He is truly great.

What Do You Know?

I've realized my blog in the past started getting away from art. Which is sad since that is part of my life and is what I do. Duh "Art By Jacy"!! I don't know why this happened, probably distracted by all the shiny things happening in blog world. Today I figured I'd share some new works with you that are up in the shop. The truth is, I need your opinion...

What do you think of these?? I've never done this type of style before but I'm kinda feeling them. The first one was definitely a hit with the handsome husband. I know I did good when he looks at the paper and blurts out "Wow!" *Pat on my back*

This is also a new style I'm trying and I am so excited about it. I am ADDICTED to quotes. Like, it's ridiculous. I want to start inspiring with art and words, which should tie in with me selling art and books. I'm loving the bright, fun colors too. Thoughts? I am also thinking about providing different colors too...kinda like the ones below...which brings me to my next question...

Have you been letting distractions or fears get in the way of your joy? My art is so important but for some reason I forget to share it with you guys. Is it because I fear you won't like this blog if I didn't offer linkys and giveaways? I want to get back to the heart of passion and to get real. And if I lose some of you along the way, it really shouldn't matter. It's not about that anyway {though I would be sad. honest.}

What do you know about your passion? Are you willing to share it or do you let fear steal your joy?

Count it All Joy {Even When You Don't Want To}

So life is looking a little sad right now.
Sad as in awful as in horrible.

Actually, I'm being super dramatic. Life is, well, life right now. Bad things happen, what can I expect? Do I think, just because I'm a child of God, bad things can't happen to me?
Don't we all think this sometimes! I don't know what Bible we are reading because every story about God's chosen people showcases them falling on hard times, whether it be before, during, or after their ministry.

Most of you know, I'm going through a financial desert. Out of respect for my husband and family, I don't like posting too much details. Another main reason is I don't want to waste my time talking about it...I'd rather pray about it!

You wanna know a fun fact? Okay maybe not that fun. I've had/have people actually get mad at me because I'm so positive during a storm! What the junk, right?
Here's how I see it: How is worrying going to change my circumstances? It's not!!
Trust me, I'm not perfect and am not a robot. That would be pretty sweet though.
My emotions boil over a lot and sometimes I foam at the mouth, and I have all my shots.
But time and time again, when I worry, I end up making my situations worse because I take the focus off of the One who is working in my life, and put it on the problem.

Worrying puts focus on the issue rather than the Healer!!

Here's how God puts it:
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4

Humans are weird. We want to be rescued but a small part of us likes to suffer. We do! We become familiar in our worried thoughts, our negative attitudes and our sour mood. Then when someone has an answer or just a word of encouragement, we delight in bashing them. How dare they try and make me smile?! Psh... {ya'll know what I mean.}

But God doesn't want us to do that! He never said it will be easy but He did say He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Being positive is not being naive or blind to the problems...being positive is counting it all joy, even when we don't want to!!

I know each one of you has a trial right now. If you don't, you will soon. That's life! It's not about the problems, those are a given...it's about HOW you deal with them.

So choose. Do you want to make things worse by having a negative mindset? Or will you rather count it all joy, so that God's perfect work can take root in your heart? Me? I will count it all joy, even if people scowl at my rejoicing! Besides...it's kinda funny to see them get mad that I'm not mad...pretty ironic...

If you have a storm right now, I'd love to pray for you. Comment below xoxo