Yes, today is my best friend’s birthday. I thought it would be fitting to write a blog post dedicated to her.  She and I have been friends for over half my life.  What that means is, she knows more about me than any other person on this planet. Conversely, I know more about her than anyone too!  Of course, I am talking about my wife, Laura.

Because hundreds of people all over the world are reading this blog, I won’t tell you any details of her age. Today we are celebrating Laura’s 30th birthday again.  One of the things I wanted to say is Laura is a very passionate person. She loves adventure and thrives on change. 

Ever since I met her we’ve been on a wild ride. We never stayed in any home for more than four years.  My children thought we were part of the witness protection program!  The truth is - we just enjoy change. 

I wanted to take a moment to describe Laura. I decided the best way for me to describe her is to list everything that she loves.

1.      God
2.      Her family
3.      Vacations
4.      Quiet
5.      Anything physical
6.      Chocolate
7.      Animal print clothing
8.      Warm pajamas
9.      Our dog, (WHAT!?)
10.   Last but not least, red wine!

After all these years I’ve tried to get to know her, this is not an all inclusive list but I think it is a good start. 

There is one thing I would say; Laura is very faithful and optimistic. She has always been my cheerleader. Through our long journey with ALS, Laura never throws a pity party.  In the beginning she had a couple of weeks wrapping her arms around the diagnosis; but, then she got to work. 

She realized that she would have to support the family without my help.  After some prayer and meeting with friends, Killa Bites was born!  Laura took her passion for chocolate and adventure and created a business.  What can I say except on Laura’s birthday, I am the one who is getting a gift. That gift is Laura. 

Happy birthday my dear wife, if you find yourself without me next year at this time celebrate the adventures we’ve had.

For now we are all together and I want to leave you with an Irish saying:

“Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death.  Finally, if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.” 

Joy is something that we are told in the Bible is a fruit of the spirit.  It does not say happiness is a fruit of the spirit, but joy is.  Joy resides within you permanently. Since it is from the spirit, that implies that it must come from the Holy Spirit within us. 

Joy manifests only when we rest in God’s promises and we are transformed to be more like Christ.  It is based on our relationship with Christ and is not affected by our circumstances.  It is not until we stop chasing happiness and start chasing Christ that we will experience true joy.

Matthew 6:19-21 says,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  

When we value Christ more than temporary treasures on earth, we open ourselves up to the permanency of joy.

Today, I am forced to comply with God’s will for my life. At this moment, that involves suffering with this disease of ALS at the cost of my own personal happiness.  Does that mean that I am not joyful?  No!   I can be joyful always because I have Christ with me and I know where I am going!

How do we do that? Let me show you.

I am at the age where for my birthday, I am not really into the presents. I am more about the relationships with those around me. I think it is the same way with Jesus. He is really not that interested in what you do, but more interested in spending time with you. 

When I say spending time, I mean just talking to Him. He wants to be involved in your life just like I want to be involved in the lives of the people around me. 

It is not complicated. Following Jesus should not be difficult. If it is, then you have missed it!

J=Jesus

0 = Nothing

Y= You

To have joy, there must be nothing between you and Jesus.

In order to find joy, you have to find Christ first!  Then you must surrender your life to Him and allow Him to be in control.  Until you are able to do that, joy will always evade you.