The Messy Middle

where grace and truth reside

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

Faith, Guest Post, The Church Year

How’s the habit going?

On Tuesday Kimberlee Conway Ireton wrote a guest post here at The Messy Middle for Eastertide and she talked about the habit of joy. It touched a beautiful spot and many commented. If you haven’t, please read the post. 

Cultivate Joy

She ended: “Friends, we have died with Christ, and we are raised with Him. Ring the bells, blow the trumpets, bang the gongs! And for the love of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, live in joy! Here. Now. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Watch the sun rise, study a tulip. Listen to a symphony, or bird song, or silence. Read a good book. Read the Good Book. Bite your tongue. Smile. Sing. Pray. Raise your arms. Shout huzzah. Dance a jig. Sniff a lilac. Stare at the stars. I mean it. Quit reading this post and go do something that brings you joy. Then do it again and again and again till it becomes a habit, the habit of joy.”

Today, let’s not move on too quickly from the heart of Kimberlee’s encouragement to cultivate the habit of joy.

Life is hard. A dear friend started chemo this week. Another didn’t get an eagerly anticipated job. Yet joy is woven in too. A niece given several school awards. Another niece testing into a certain math class and called The Math Fairy (me) to share. A lost old, but beloved, passport was found and there was dancing. Life is not like a long road trip where the goal is to get to the destination fast with as few rest stops as possible.

Since Tuesday I have asked myself to do something joyful each day.This week, in the name of joy I:

  1. Stood an extra minute in the shower, noticing the water hitting my body.
  2. Danced with fresh abandon in Zumba. I can’t help it. Zumba brings me so much joy!
  3. Smelled the air after the rain.
  4. Wore my favorite pants . . . so far four days in a row. Will I wear them today? :)?

How about you? What have you done this week to cultivate joy? Please take a moment and share with us . . . it would bring me joy. Bet you saw that coming, wink. We really would like to hear.

Kimberlee, thanks reminding us that part of Eastertide is JOY.

Amy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Related

«
»

3 Comments April 29, 2016

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. Angie says

    April 29, 2016 at 11:19 am

    “Life is not like a long road trip where the goal is to get to the destination fast with as few rest stops as possible.”

    That’s what I’ve really learned in this season of therapy. Love this post, Amy. And I’m excited to share the ways I’ve cultivated joy this week with you as we cultivate joy together in the botanic gardens. ❤️

    Reply
  2. Jody Collins says

    April 29, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    I sat outside on my deck with a journal and a cup of coffee and just watched…… everything and nothing. And listened…to everything. It brought me great joy to soak in God’s creation AND I wrote a poem about a spider who was in my view. Writing poetry brings me joy.
    Thanks so much Amy (and Kimberlee) for this push/encouragement to take time for joy.

    Reply
    • Kimberlee Conway Ireton says

      April 30, 2016 at 6:21 pm

      Being outdoors is crucial to living the joy-life. It’s the Book of Nature, and we’re supposed to read it :) So glad you got to sit and soak in it for a space.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Amy Young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

Social

  • View themessymiddle’s profile on Facebook
  • View the_amy_young’s profile on Twitter
  • View amy_young1234’s profile on Instagram
  • View messymiddleamy’s profile on Pinterest
ADD TO FEED READER | CONTACT

welcome, here we

Don't have to choose between extremes. You can embrace life's Messy Middle.

recent posts

  • Becoming More Fruitful is published :)
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is Finished
  • You’re invited to a launch party!
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is here!
  • Top 14 Books of 2021
  • What my book group read in 2021

Archives

meet amy young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

explore

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

get updates

Copyright © 2023 Amy Young · Customized by A Sacred Journey

{This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.}