HDWN? What does it mean to walk in and walk with joy?

Happy Friday guys and girls! I hope your week has been fantastic!!!

A few weeks ago, I put out a survey on Facebook and Instagram asking you guys what topics you wanted me to cover on the blog and on the podcast. We’ve practically finished up with Abraham and Sarah (unless y’all want to hear more about Isaac and his story - let me know!), so I thought this week we would pull from the survey responses!

This question really intrigued me.

From Anonymous:

This week, we’re going to cover a few ways that you as a Christian can be more positive, light-hearted, and joyful in your walk with Jesus! Let’s dive in!

#1: Make Some Joyful Noise

Throughout Scripture, we see an emphasis on worshiping the Lord in song and dance. As far back as Exodus, we see Miriam, Moses, and the Israelites praising the Lord in song and with tambourines (Exodus 15). Throughout the old and new testaments, time and time again, we are called to worship in song and dance.

If you’re anything like me, though, you have a hard time busting a move to “Amazing Grace” or “Precious Memories.” Now, I LOVE old hymnals, but I also LOVE indie pop, folk, and rap. I love something I can dance to - dance like nobody in the world is watching.

Combine this love of jam-worthy music with an hour and a half car ride to work everyday, and you get a car karaoke jam session with Jesus. Car worship sessions are a tried and true way to have some fun in your walk with Jesus. Joyful worship cannot and should not be confined to a church house, but it should permeate all places in which we as Christians are. Especially with the summer months coming up, what’s better than rolling the windows and sunroof down and turning the music up? 

It took me a long time to find Christian music that I connected to… below, I’m linking some of my personal worship jam session playlists - hopefully, you find songs that you can dance to, too!

mornings with good coffee, good music, and a good God

Running the Race with Endurance

SAVED NOT SOFT

#2 Practice Gratitude 25/8

This is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. In the world that we live in, it is easy to become heavy-hearted. And I don’t just mean sad… I mean nervous, paranoid, depressed, isolated, heavy. One of the best ways to battle these anxieties is to practice gratefulness. You can do this in a number of fun ways! 

• Keep a gratitude journal in the notes app of your phone or in a cute notebook! Personally, I usually choose to use the notes app on my phone; I make a list of everything I can possibly think of that I am grateful for or that reminds me how much God loves His children. Throughout the day, if/when I grow weary, tired, and heavy, I open this list and read over all the things I’ve listed. The kicker? When I start to feel anxious, I have to add at least 3 things to the list. It’s a great way to keep your mind on good things.

• Reach out to your friends! A lot of times, if I want to practice gratitude, I like to text or call a friend and tell them how grateful I am for their presence in my life. For example,  I have a group text with a few girls, and we’ve built a habit of taking pictures of pretty sunsets and texting these pictures to the groupchat with a message like “Grateful for y’all!” or “Thinking of y’all!” It’s a wonderful way to not only slow down and remember to be thankful, but it is also an awesome way to remain rooted in community.

• Snap a picture, save a memory! If you follow me on Instagram, you know I post on my story a lot. I love snapping pictures of moments in which I feel grateful. I’ll snap a picture of a sunset that reminds me of what an artist God is. I’ll snap a picture of Gravy, my dog, walking right by my side that reminds me how God never leaves my side either. Sure those might end up on an IG story, but you can also just snap pictures to keep in your camera roll. I have tons of super random places in Dallas and Nashville, pictures of great meals, pictures of crowds in the street, candid photos of my friends - I just try to snap a picture every time I feel the presence of God. They don’t make sense to anyone else but myself and Jesus, and that’s the point! 

Being grateful can keep our hearts light and open to whatever the world throws our way. We truly can find something to be grateful for in every situation, even if it’s just that God is with you in a heavy time.

#3 Be a Volunteer! (And not just the UTK football fan kind!)

In John 13:13-15, we read about Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. The gospels place a huge emphasis on taking care of other people and using your time on earth to serve and love others, just as Jesus did. 

One of the best ways to inspire joy, remain positive, foster community, and serve is through volunteering. There is nothing like spending your time helping others in some shape or fashion. The best part is that you can volunteer in SO many ways! 

A cause that’s super important to me is the Isaiah 117 House - this nonprofit gives children the blessing of safety and love as they await placement with a foster family. These children get to walk into the doors of a home filled with laughter and love in what is an immensely difficult and confusing time for them. A couple years ago, I painted and sold canvas bags and donated the profits to Isaiah House. Last year, I was able to participate in a production at a local theater that raised money for the Isaiah House around Christmas time. This year, I’m still planning what exactly I want to do… but I’m looking forward to where the Lord leads.

Maybe you love animals.. Volunteer at a shelter! Maybe you have a heart for children… Volunteer in different youth groups! Maybe you love to play instruments… Offer to teach lessons! Maybe you love to sing or read… Volunteer at or visit a nursing home! (And if you do, just know you’re going to have the time of your life! Older people are not only wise, but absolutely hilarious.) God gives you talents, gifts, passions, and desires for a reason… use the gifts He’s given you to inspire, encourage, and love others! The possibilities are endless!

To wrap up our "Walk It Out"...

I hope that these ideas encourage you to walk joyfully in each and every step that you take! What other habits do you take to stay joyful? Drop me a message in the contact box or on Instagram! Maybe next week, we’ll go over 3 more habits!!!

I love you, but not even close to how much Jesus loves you!

I hope you have the best weekend and week ever!