Comments on Julie Gillies - Words to Soothe, Refresh and Strengthen Your Soul: Surprised by Joy

Wondeful! Attitude has been on my mind a lot late...

2009-12-20T13:43:58.988-05:00

Wondeful! Attitude has been on my mind a lot lately. It's really about our attitude and spirit in situations like this...we can CHOOSE to be positive and cheerful or to grumble. Either way the Christmas tree was still on the floor and had to be dealt with. :) Great job of choosing to be joyful when things didn't go as planned.

Your blog is a wondeful gift to me throughout the year, Julie!

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Many blessings in 2010!

"We get to decorate our Christmas tree again&...

2009-12-16T13:12:38.173-05:00

"We get to decorate our Christmas tree again" --- how sweet is THAT?? You're right in that sometimes those unexpected moments are opportunities to develop our character and check our attitudes. great post!

Joy jumps on us in the strangest places, doesn'...

2009-12-14T17:37:22.797-05:00

Joy jumps on us in the strangest places, doesn't it? Three snaps up to your daughter! Great post, Julie!

Excellent post! The older I get the less enthusia...

2009-12-11T17:55:29.469-05:00

Excellent post! The older I get the less enthusiastic I become over cleaning, decorating, baking, shopping etc. This year, I decided not to complain, but just do what has to be done. I think that works for me and I am finding joy in what I am doing.
Don't kids just set you on the right track sometime??

Say thank you to your daughter for teaching us to ...

2009-12-10T09:21:14.838-05:00

Say thank you to your daughter for teaching us to find the remarkable in imperfections and joy in the manure of life. Thank her for reminding us to dance in the midst of flies. This post touched me.

Setting out on a journey to find joy... I like tha...

2009-12-09T19:46:59.902-05:00

Setting out on a journey to find joy... I like that.

God is quietly and gently moving my spirit to the manger this year. It's been a huge gift to me in this season of struggle. I don't suppose I've ever known a Christmas in my 43 years when I've loved him more, adored him more.

Thanks for stopping by. It's always good to hear from you.

peace~elaine

I've been pondering this same question lately....

2009-12-09T19:17:58.100-05:00

I've been pondering this same question lately. As far as the tree, I've been there too. I anchored my tree to the wall with fishing line one year because it fell over so many times. ha!

Beautiful post.
Have a joyful one!!

Don't you love kids who remind us that we do C...

2009-12-09T18:25:08.206-05:00

Don't you love kids who remind us that we do Christmas because we enjoy it not cause it's just one more thing on our to do list. sighs.

Perspective through babes. Not to be surprised because we have Life through the most amazing babe.

Am I slow or something though? Why wet?

Interesting how things turn out and lessons learnt...

2009-12-09T17:51:49.321-05:00

Interesting how things turn out and lessons learnt. Thank you for sharing. We should all look at the positive and simply smile more even during a mess.Bless you.

Julie, this is such a beautiful post, one we can a...

2009-12-09T11:25:29.274-05:00

Julie, this is such a beautiful post, one we can all learn from.

And I'm going to be very careful around our 10ft Christmas tree... ;)

What a timely post for me, Julie. I have a Christm...

2009-12-09T11:01:47.560-05:00

What a timely post for me, Julie. I have a Christmas tree issue to face today, too -- though small compared to yours! I've already been groaning about it, but you've showed me a better perspective. Finding joy in unlikely places -- love that thought!

I think that's what Mary did. On the surface w...

2009-12-09T09:50:40.985-05:00

I think that's what Mary did. On the surface what joy is there in traveling by donkey (when you're 9 months pregnant)or giving birth in a stable? Yet, despite the difficult circumstances there was the most incredible joy. Joy is our choice.

So sorry about the tree. I've heard that dreaded crash before. Ugh! But as your daughter demonstrated, when we choose joy we get to decorate all over again!

Christmas blessings my friend,
Kelli

Yeah for your daughter! I remember when I was litt...

2009-12-09T08:05:40.465-05:00

Yeah for your daughter! I remember when I was little I used to love writing in my mom's old checkbooks. I don't love writing checks now. So much of this life is going at it with an attitude of joy.
Beautiful message here.
~ Wendy

Julie, I'm struck dumb. Thank you for the viv...

2009-12-09T00:21:56.194-05:00

Julie, I'm struck dumb. Thank you for the vivid reminder of looking for joy in the disasters of life. You blessed my socks off.

I bet your tree looks even prettier the 2nd time!

I wonder if we don't all often just sit back a...

2009-12-08T21:46:46.847-05:00

I wonder if we don't all often just sit back and wait for joy, as if it were a present to be given on a special day or in response to something we do. Not God's intention, of course, but I suspect too often we lump joy in with life's other "rewards." And when we don't receive joy....?

We sing Joy to the World, the Lord is come! I'm thinking that since He has come, we have our source of joy. Now, can we see Christ in others? In ourselves? In the day-to-day? Great perspective, Julie!

So sorry to hear of your tree, but the inspiration and joy discovered must surely be greater than the temporary loss felt.

Amen Julie!

2009-12-08T21:30:12.369-05:00

Amen Julie!

Perfect! Don't you love it when it's your ...

2009-12-08T20:04:00.402-05:00

Perfect!
Don't you love it when it's your child who sees the truth.

My boys lead me to joy daily if I choose to see it. Thanks for this simple yet profound post.

I love your daughter's spirit...she must have ...

2009-12-08T17:23:47.798-05:00

I love your daughter's spirit...she must have a great mama ;)

Oh, Julie, how terrible! (My first thoughts.) All ...

2009-12-08T17:13:28.339-05:00

Oh, Julie, how terrible! (My first thoughts.) All that work! Then, when I read your daughter's statement, I smiled. Great lesson, loved it, and hope not too many ornaments were broken.

I am on a journey searching too. Great post. Lee ...

2009-12-08T16:36:29.024-05:00

I am on a journey searching too.
Great post.
Lee
I found you on Debra's "Common Ground" :)
Lee

I love your daughter's reaction! It wasn't...

2009-12-08T16:30:18.329-05:00

I love your daughter's reaction! It wasn't a misfortune, it was a chance to decorate again. What an optimist!

I'm going to remember this story for the next time something happens like this at our house. Thanks for sharing.

Such a wonderful perspective! How precious is it t...

2009-12-08T14:07:17.381-05:00

Such a wonderful perspective! How precious is it that a "child" could see the "opportunity" in the situation instead of the struggle!
blessings, Julie,
Debra

Hi Julie, I love what we learn through our kids. L...

2009-12-08T13:41:20.133-05:00

Hi Julie, I love what we learn through our kids. Last year I walked by our tree (also very tall), and did a double-take. Our kitty was in the middle-to-top just sitting there, staring at me. It was so cute, I grabbed my camera.

I need JOY every day, not just Christmas, that is for sure! Great post, as always! XO

AMEN....Seeking Joy! in my circumstances...looking...

2009-12-08T13:38:02.141-05:00

AMEN....Seeking Joy! in my circumstances...looking beyond to that which GOD has for me!

Blessings and prayers, andrea

Awesome post, Julie!!! I love your daughter's ...

2009-12-08T13:17:51.587-05:00

Awesome post, Julie!!! I love your daughter's response and the lesson you tied in to it! Now to find out the culprit behind the toppled tree! Was it the cat?