Three Simple Ways to Create Space for Joy

A certain level of busy is good. It makes us feel alive and productive. But what happens when “busy” turns into chaotic and overwhelming?

It sucks the very joy from our souls.

It’s not how Jesus intends for us to live.  In John 15:11, He tells us, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Over nearly 22 years of raising kids and running a household, we’ve learned (the hard way) a few guiding principles for finding joy. These may look very practical. You may be confused as to how these equate to joy.

However, when practiced regularly, we’ve found that they produce both an internal and external environment that creates space in our hearts and homes for joy:

1. Get up before the family.

(Melinda) For years, I had horrible mornings. Awful. Stressful and chaotic. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worst), I was averaging an “8” most days. Kathy told me to get up before the family – over and over again. She told me it would help. I didn’t believe her. I also thought it was pretty much impossible.

Then I got just desperate enough to try it.

And it changed my life. Literally.

God took that time – just 15 minutes – that I got up before the family and, just like the loaves and fishes, He multiplied it. By the time my kids get up now, I’ve moved mountains. I’ve prepared for the day and they get a calmer, more patient mom.

Plus, it had an unexpected ripple effect. When my kids saw me already moving and being productive, it made them more motivated and productive. They’re more likely to hop onto an already moving train than a train that’s still in the station.

2.  Do It Now.

It doesn’t matter what it is – picking up shoes, a gum wrapper off the floor of the car, the cereal bowl – pick it up, put it up, wash it – NOW. It’s not going to get any easier to pick up five pairs of shoes than one.

Doing it now prevents the backlog of tasks in any mother’s life. We can depend on a steady stream of minute tasks throughout our day. Walking away from even just one of them doesn’t make them disappear. It makes the hold that they have on our life even stronger. It’s positively victorious to wash one dish, knowing that there won’t be a sink full later because of a small proactive decision.

3. Make Sunday a true day of rest.

(Melinda) For me, “rest” is more mental than physical. I need some time to unplug from all the concerns and activity that consumes me during the week. So, recently, I began to unplug on Sundays. I shut down the computer and watch minimal, if any, television. It’s given me a break from the buzzing in my head. I can’t quite explain to you the calmness it has given to my soul that carries into the next week.

(Kathy) I look forward to Sundays for so many reasons. It’s a day that I feel God has given us permission–no, orders–to vary from our daily routine, allowing us to call to mind His commandment of keeping it holy. There is nothing more holy to me than a nap after church and lunch. It’s heaven on earth for me. God blesses me often with these, now that the kids are older.

 

[Tweet “Joy doesn’t just happen, moms. It occurs as we follow Jesus more passionately and intentionally.”]

 

But we have to make the mental and physical space to hear Him speak.

Start today.

Romans 15:13:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

 

Can you see these tips helping you to create space for joy in your life? Do you have any additional ideas for how to create that space?

 

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