So since I've started this little new Instagram page, I figured I'd write a blog post kind of explaining a little background as to why I am doing it in the first place.
Lately I've been trying to seek God and how He would have me use the gifts that He's given me. I've been told a few times that I'm good at encouraging others as well as many people enjoying reading my writing. Although I have a super low self-esteem most often and don't necessarily let it sink in as being true, if even just a few people enjoy reading my thoughts, then I'm happy to keep writing because I enjoy it as well.
Back in June, an Instagram page I am following called "Daughter of Delight" put a post out about needing a new writing team for the new quarter. This would be a three month commitment to writing a short devotional once a week. Although I felt like I wasn't good enough (yo, satan right there, I know), I felt the tug that I should at least apply. I wrote a sample devotional which would end up being our first post if we were chosen, as well as a little background about myself. I sent it and didn't think a lot more about it and didn't tell anyone else I had even applied. The date we were supposed to find out came and went and although there was an inkling of disappointment, I knew there were probably a TON of entries from fabulous women who knew how to write. About a week later I got an email saying I had been chosen! I never in a million years would've expected this!
I feel like this is where my idea for "Daily Cup of Joy" transpired. Little did I know when I started writing for Daughter of Delight I'd go through some of the toughest experiences thus far in my life. I know that God truly put that experience in place at that time because He knew I'd need the encouragement that I was writing more than anything. Using my own heartache and experiences to relate with and encourage other women.
During this time, we suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage as well as have my grandma diagnosed with cancer, battling it and unfortunately losing that battle all within this time frame. But God used it for good. And He can, if we let Him.
Since my writing quarter was over in September, I've missed doing it. I tugged around at the idea of starting something similar but honestly didn't have faith it would amount to anything. I knew I couldn't writing a full on devotional every day and with a new baby on the way, I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew. I've sat on the idea for quite some time.
This past Sunday in church I was really feeling that God wanted me to use my gifts. I had recently stopped helping out with our children's Wednesday night program and although I knew I needed to with the complications thus far in the pregnancy, I couldn't help but feeling guilty and that I wasn't doing my part anymore. God reassured me that I could use my gifts in a different way and in a way that better fit me. I was also feeling the tug to start making a way better effort at my own relationship with God and my time I spend with Him. Honestly, getting into the word has never been something that's been easy for me. I find the Bible overwhelming and since I do, I tended to avoid it. I had heard about the 'Daily Walk' NLT bible and purchased it after Christmas. So this past Sunday, this is when I decided to put the two things together. To make a conscious effort to give God my full attention and the FIRST part of my day instead of the last moments of my day and to encourage others along the way. It took me a bit of time with what I wanted to name the page, but once this popped into my head (thinking I'm all original and being so proud--come to find out I'm not so original. But still proud of the name--ha!) I knew that was the exact direction I wanted to go. And here's the exact reason why.
I am a coffee LOVER. I look forward to getting up and enjoying that cup of coffee first thing in the morning. And honestly without it the day just feels off. It gets my happy juices flowing and just starts the day off right. While thinking of this concept, I realized this. Shouldn't this be the EXACT way I feel towards Jesus? Looking forward to waking up in the morning and giving each day to Him? Starting each day with Him? So. Cup of Daily Joy it is. A little daily encouragement. Just my thoughts and what's on my heart for each day. If you haven't noticed, JOY has a special place in my heart. My business of 9 years is named Infinite Joy Photography, and now this. I like how they work together!
This little page is really just to keep myself accountable as well. I'm getting up and starting each day with Jesus and coffee and then writing my quick post for the day on the page. It keeps me doing it daily and I need that! And if I happen to encourage someone along the way--awesome!
The posts will be daily on Instagram if you'd like to follow. @cup_of_daily_joy. If you don't have Instagram, that's fine. I really do love blogging and hope to write some of my deeper thoughts in posts here. Maybe eventually a Facebook page, but we will see where it takes me. Right now just a girl who loves to write an encourage. And if you read, thanks. You're a big encouragement to me as well!
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