living loved

. . . for the joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10

Aaah, Disney, the happiest place on Earth since it was first labeled as such in 1955. My clan spent part of our Christmas vacation at this happy place. And truly, we had such a great time. I don’t know that all families felt the same as a toddler cried in exhaustion or tired parents squabbled over where to eat, or when the eldest child of mine glared in hanger that if we did one more ride and didn’t feed her, we would definitely not be in our happy place.

There were several moments as we vacationed that during these moments of joy and happiness, someone would start to get cranky from waiting too long, someone would be “dying” of thirst, and someone would need to eat ASAP…or else. And then I would jokingly (maybe) remind them of their very first world problem and look for coffee (my very first world problem).

We did over 20 miles in 3 days, rode EVERYTHING (except the Tower of Terror – next time middle child), and laughed A LOT at our little adrenaline junky. But as fun as it was and as much as we laughed, when the fun was over, it was over. We have pictures and memories and stories to tell – and at the risk of sounding jaded – that’s it.

This life is fleeting. Scripture calls this life a “vapor”. We are here and gone. This is our reality. And if you’re fortunate, you and your loved ones will be here for another year of love, laughter, and fun in 2025, but, unfortunately, we aren’t guaranteed a year, month, day, or even tomorrow.

Moments make memories. Memories only last a life time. A life time is fleeting. But eternity is forever. Your happiest place on Earth is fine, but it is nothing in comparison to an eternity of joy. Our joy can be found in Him. Our true joy is in eternity. Nothing else (not even the happiest place on Earth) can compare.

And it is His joy that is our strength. What we delight in pales in comparison to how He delights in you, reader. In our mourning or dancing, our shortcomings and success, our deepest sins or highest praise, He delights in you. His joy is your strength. There is no other happiness that can compare.

Chase the eternal in 2025. Find His joy and make it your strength. He will not fail you.

XOXO, Loni