Joy Stories

Welcome to our new "Joy Story" feature. A collection of short stories with a sweet message. We hope you enjoy this first in the series!


Sarah's Day

Jake was busy and tired of being so busy, he told Sarah so that morning as he headed out the door to work. Sarah didn't need to look too deeply to see the weariness in his eyes. Jake was dog tired and understandably so, considering the hours he'd been putting in to his new business.

Fortunately he didn't have to travel any farther then out the back door and in to the pole barn where he'd set up shop after being laid off last winter. It still made her shiver when she thought of the financial struggles they'd gone through. Not that they were above water yet, but at least with his own business Jake had a fighting chance of success. And maybe if he got a little more successful, she hoped they'd stop arguing between them about a whole bunch of silly things.

She grabbed the short list of messages she'd written down from the answering machine and headed out to the barn. A small bunch of tomatoes in her tiny garden caught her eye. With luck, she hoped they'd be ripe enough to pick before some big, old insect chomped them.

In the barn, Jake was bent over a metal pipe, measuring the diameter or 'bore' as he called it. Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with homeschooling and housekeeping, the responsibilities she shouldered.

"Hey," she said.

He didn't look up.

"Jim left a message for you. He said the boat leaves at six tonight."

"Like I have time for a joyride," he answered.

"It is summer, Honey."

"Right. And we have two boys to feed. Who's gong to do all this work?"

Certainly not me, she thought.

She ran her palm across one of the dozen or so machines that lined the walls, careful not to pick up any grease on the hem of her sleeve. Jake's work was truly man's work, she thought. It even smelled like man's work. Machine oil was a scent she had always found strangely attracting on Jake, yet for herself she preferred a soft floral.

"I have an idea, Jake."

"What." He made a statement. As in, 'I'm busy, keep it short'.

She didn't let his irritated tone dissuade her. "Well, I can't do your work and I can't decide if you have the time for a boat ride with the guys this evening, though you surely are deserving of it."

The words rolled off her tongue surprisingly smoothly. Since the money troubles started, she had acted like a Mama Bear toward him every time he tried to spend a few hours with his friends. Bowling in the winter. Fishing in the summer. That's all he ever did with his friends and it was never very often, but it still made her feel anxious. Almost resentful.

"Too hot in here," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. "A little air conditioning would be nice if I can ever afford that."

"Did you hear what I said? About the boat ride? You deserving it?," she said, wondering if her words had sounded too rehearsed. She had been practicing her delivery, maybe so hard he wasn't buying it?

"I did hear you and it sounds nice of you to say, but it won't relieve me of the work to be done."

"Okay, whatever you want to do," she said.

"What?" Now he was looking at her. "What did you say?"

"I said whatever you want to do."

"I heard that. What about the hissy-fit part?"

"I'm trying not to do that you, Jake. I know you're working so hard and I know it's been tough, for both of us. And well, if you take the boat ride or not, I made a chocolate cake after you left the house this morning."

"I'm not sure where you're coming from with all this Sarah, but I do like it."

She saw a lightened look in his eyes, like maybe one burden had fallen off his back. She hadn't seen that look on him in a long while. Well, maybe when he came back from a few hour's fishing.

She smiled at him. My husband, my friend. She never doubted in her heart, not even through the tough times they'd been having, that he was the one man she could put her trust in. She suddenly remembered Genesis.

"You're the guy I'm supposed to be a help-meet to," she told him and he answered with a thumbs-up sign.

"There's a piece of cake cut for you. When you're ready for a break, it's waiting."

She walked outside, a feeling of peace settling on her stomach. She headed toward the tomatoes to check them for green caterpillars that didn't belong.

The sky looked so blue, it was a perfect day for a boat ride. Whatever Jake decided to do, Sarah was pleased that through patient understanding, today she had given her husband a gift of joy.

Biblical Joy

Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12:25


How have you shared the joy in your heart today?

Ruby Anniversary

On August 18, 1939, the Wizard of Oz premiered. One of the most famous movies of all time, this family classic has been beloved by generations of fans. Think of how many people in your own family may have enjoyed the Wizard of Oz in the past 72 years!

Within the 103 minute film, Dorothy Gale’s journey (with little Toto) to reach Oz, becomes an amazing adventure with Kansas-sized spins and twists. She meets a talking scarecrow, tin man and lion. Not to mention the wicked lady from the west.

Despite experiencing many truly harrowing moments, we know young Dorothy kept moving forward. She made it to Oz eventually. And, she helped her “friends” discover that they already possessed what they thought they didn’t.

Doesn't it bring a smile to recall how through meeting Dorothy, the Scarecrow recognized he possessed his own smarts, a wonderful brain. The Tin Man recognized the kindness in his heart. The Lion’s fearfulness disappeared when he saw he did indeed possess strength within himself, courage.

And Dorothy, after pinning hope that the wonderful Wizard of Oz could help her return home was left stranded when he couldn’t control his hot air balloon and sailed away without her. (You know what happened next!)

The Wizard of Oz is a treasured story that touches on at least two important realities to think about today – goodness and love.

As a Woman Who Gives Joy, helping your loved ones, a friend or even an acquaintance to recognize their special gifts, is a gift you give. By offering your encouraging words, sweet smile and nods of support, you help erase burdens others may carry such as self-doubt or discouragement.

On slippers or in a jeweled setting, rubies are sparkling gems. Yet the brilliance of stone can never begin to compare to the brilliance of a heart filled with joy. A joy shared with others.

Whatever shoes you step in to today, may you feel beautified by the spirit of love and joy that He has placed in your heart. Who will you share your joy with?

"She is worth far more then rubies" - Proverbs 31:10

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Blog Hopping

Don't miss this week's blog hop to Women Living Well and the Media Monday article about how media can affect a women's health.

Sunday Dinner

No matter how large or how small a family is, sharing Sunday dinner strengthens the circle of love around us and brings cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Even if the main course has accidentally cooked a bit too long, when a woman makes the caring effort to serve a home-cooked meal she is nourishing her loved ones in so many ways - in body, mind and spirit.

The Proverbs 31 woman "provides food for her family".  Of course she didn't have a box of ready-made food to heat up in a microwave!  She made meals from scratch, the old-fashioned way based on the local food supply.

Today, supermarkets are filled with every type of food imaginable, imported from near and far away sources.  While ready-made foods are convenient, they are processed and have diminished nutrients compared to whole foods.  Packaged foods also pad the grocery bill higher.  Consider how inexpensive and how many ways you can use a bag of whole potatoes compared to a one-meal box of dehydrated potatoes.  

For next Sunday's dinner, think of how you can incorporate Biblical foods.  The wholesome, natural foods the Proverbs 31 woman may have had available to serve, are available for you to serve today!  What wonderful menu ideas do you have?

Numbers 11:5

"We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic."