Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:4-6 (NIV)
My birthday is in the beginning of October, and the joy that this brings me is a little over-the-top. To have a birthday in this season so saturated with beauty and promise feels like the first gift I ever received.
Also, I detest being too warm. Where I live in Minnesota, October weather is generally crisp and cool – right up my alley.
After waking up in the morning, the anticipation of a free pumpkin spice latte from my favorite coffee shop fuels me right out of bed. I’ve passed along my adoration of holidays and celebrations to my children, so they’re almost as excited as Christmas morning when they join me in the kitchen. I open their cards and gifts, then jump into the rush of our regular morning routine.
After school drop-offs, I swing by that coffee shop. I go to work. I make sure to take a walk at some point during the day because to me, outdoors is the best place for my heart to connect with His. On a perfect day, the sky is a brilliant blue, and the air holds a hint of a chill in its undercurrent. Of course, I prefer the chill, but year to year the weather varies, and I’ve worn both tank tops and sweaters on my birthday. We usually have my favorite meal for dinner – fondue! – and family joins us as they’re able. When I finally climb into bed at the end of that October day, my heart is full to overflowing with love, filled to the brim with joy.
Did the kids fight or disobey or ask a million questions or interrupt or complain during that day? Um, yes. Did my husband and I probably have a little spat at some point? Most likely. Did we leave the laundry in the washing machine too long and have to re-run it . . . twice? You betcha. Did I have to run out for diapers and milk and apples? Uh-huh. Were my floors covered in dog hair? For sure. Was it totally full of joy anyway? Oh yeah!
Joy isn’t limited to perfection.
If that were the case, we’d all be miserable. Instead, joy can be found in limitless quantities and places. Rejoicing can come every morning – as long as we’re open to finding it. I think God wants joy to be as accessible and available as possible. It’s why small and seemingly normal things can make our hearts so happy.
It doesn’t have to be your birthday to have a day full of joy found in simple, everyday glories. It’s autumn! The air is crisp and cool, full of promise, new beginnings, and fresh starts.
On a crisp autumn morning, when joy is ripe for the finding, grab ahold. Look for it around every corner and smile. Seek it in the familiar and the unexpected. And thank the One who created joy, planting it in our hearts and lives.
A prayer for today:
God,
Thank you for joy! In the big and in the small, in the normal and the extraordinary
and all the spaces in between. Thank you for bringing joy each morning,
arriving with the dew. Whether the day is crisp and bright, rainy and grey,
or somewhere in the middle, help me seek joy.
Amen.
What everyday glory is bringing you joy today?
This is an excerpt from Anna’s book, Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul: 25 Devotions for Autumn. Get the details and your copy here!
God wants joy to be as accessible and available as possible. -@annaerendell: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
As I sit here reading my morning devotions with a hot cup of coffee, my daughter is peacefully playing. This may only last a brief moment, but I know that I am blessed.
Soak in that one moment, mama.
What an uplifting devotion! I agree that Autumn is a beautiful time of year. What an artist God is! No painting or picture can capture His breathtaking beauty of a mountain side in fall. This snapshot needs to be viewed and admired with your own eyes.
Yes, I agree — He is indeed the best Artist around!
Happy Birthday, Anna!
Thank you Carol Anne!
Amen! This is a beautiful gift that we often fail to see.. and it isn’t something we wait to experience on the other side. Thank you God for all the things in our perfectly imperfect lives that sing to our souls and push us into that joyful space: laughing and hugging our children, chatting with friends, seeing families out together, random smiles from strangers, favourite songs on the radio..
God bless you, Anna Rendell.
This season is indeed a gift to be enjoyed now. Thank you for your lovely comment, Thalia!
Thank you Anna. I could feel you’re joy in this devotion. Sitting at my computer in my pjs drinking coffee.. it made me smile. I live in Utah and Autumn is peeking through and it’s amazing. I admit I’m joyful to a fault and you are right, this time of year encourages a constant smile. I’m sooo grateful that “in the mess”…like leaves everywhere in my yard, or having to work on a Saturday.. I can be joyful.
Have a blessed day and happy birthday!
Sitting at my computer in my pj’s is one of my favorite things to do 🙂 Thanks for joining in!
Happy Birthday Month, Anna I am an end of October birthday. It certainly is my fave time of year. Here in Texas, it’s starting to cool off by then, hopefully, lol.
My everybody joy is waking up to a new day. As I live with multiple chronic diseases, I try to find joy in the simplest things. But, this time of year certainly helps as I can be outside more and enjoy the beautiful nature around us.
Have a great weekend. I’m also sipping on my iced chai while reading my devotionals. The perfect way to start my day.
Happy (almost) birthday to you too! And thank you for the reminder to wake up to intentional joy.
Today, I have the joy in knowing that I will be surrounded by my church family tomorrow morning. Ultimately, tomorrow is going to be a special occasion because my church family is going to be occupying the church with their fur babies for our annual pet blessing event. I <3 it that I get to be apart of the event this time around; God is allowing me an opportunity to take part in something I unfortunately missed out on being in the middle of this time last year.
Our church always does a blessing of the animals service as well! It is certainly a joy. Hope yours was wonderful!
Being around animals is the best blessing I can be looking forward to this weekend. Ultimately, I say this because we’re having a Pet Blessing event at church tomorrow. I <3 that I am actually able to participate in such incredible fun tomorrow, rather than having to stay home and miss out on the festivities. I <3 being surrounded by animals–dogs of any breed and size outside of just being with my family dog on a weekly basis. I'm totally looking forward to tomorrow morning's church fun, packed with so many pets/
Hi Anna,
Lovely post to remind us to make that better choice, in and for Jesus. Choosing joy brings gratitude and the circle just keeps going. 🙂 I too like the beauty of autumn, with the vibrant colours.
Happy Birthday, Sandy
Thank you Sandy!
Happy Birthday Anna. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Linda!
Happy Birthday, Anna! What a beautiful time (my favorite) of the year for you to celebrate your special day here in Minnesota nice! We met at the Galleria just in case you were wondering… ;). Having a grateful journal on a daily basis helps me out to count many blessings.
Carrie! Of course I remember that sweet meeting. Thanks for your comment here, and for sharing about your grateful journal. Such a great idea.
Absolutely. I ran out of toilet paper my only big event for the day. Im glad for the boring mundane and ordinary once in a while. I just got a new place to live.
Congratulations on the new place! I hope you had a fun trip to the store to restock on TP 🙂 Sometimes that’s enough of an adventure for one day!
Anna,
Joy is defined as a feeling of great pleasure & happiness. Happiness can be found in just about anything. You just have to look for it. Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. That is when God’s splendor is shown on the mountains & leaves in the beautiful colors displayed. Also the wonderful foods & nice cooler weather. Great for walking outside. Joy for me is spending time with my hubby. That has become hard lately. He works weekends & Wednesdays-I work Tuesday, Thursday & every other Friday. Hey any time I can sit with him & just snuggle or go for a walk is great for me. Have a blessed birthday & spread your joy to everyone. This world could sure use more of it.
Blessings 🙂
Autumn is my favorite time as well 🙂 Hope you’re able to get out and enjoy it — these days are so fleeting!
I’m with you, Anna! There is so much joy to be found in the everyday moments, like my first cup of coffee in the morning and our neighbor’s beautiful chickens roaming around the yard. I love the tiny morning glories that grow along the road, and my dog’s happy bark as she trots along beside me. Celebrating His goodness with you!
Those ARE all such joy-filled moments! Wonder, wonder everywhere.
. B E A U TI F U L Thankyou
Thanks, Cheryl!
My birthday is October 4th and I feel the exact same way about my October birthday! Love it! I love all things fall and October- it brings me pure Joy! Loved this, thank you!
Happy belated birthday, Adrienne!! I hope it was a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday Anna! Loved this post, thanks for sharing! ❤️
Thanks so much, Stephanie!
Happy Happy Birthday!!! Your post brought a smile to my face as well as my heart. I love the crisp fall days although here in California we have to wait a little longer. 🙂
Thank you for reminding me to find joy in all I do and see and feel and to thank HIM who provides me daily with all of it.
Thanks Becky! You do have to wait a bit. It snowed here yesterday. Weather is so weirdly different!
What an uplifting post, Anna! I’m reminded of our young granddaughters’ treasure-hunting expeditions–through the neighborhood. They collect just such items as pictured at the top of your post: pretty leaves, chubby acorns, crooked sticks, mysterious seed pods, and more. While following along, I revel in their excitement over each discovery. Surely God does the same, watching us take joy in his everyday blessings. And praise him, he DOES scatter joy through all our days!
Thank you Nancy! Love the images my heart thought of reading about your granddaughters expeditions. I love that so much, what a wonderful story!