Finding Joy

Introduction 

This book is about Joy. Of course it is me, Joy, sharing my story, but it is so much more than that. This is a book about true, eternal, everlasting joy. The joy you cannot find within yourself, or of this world. It can only be found in God. It can be found in our Father in heaven, who calls for His children to follow Him. It can be found in placing your faith in the Son of God, who gave himself to save you. It can be found in the feeling the Holy Spirit near you when you cry out for help. I pray that whatever brought you to open up the pages of this book, will allow you to follow through the reading of it. I pray my journey will somehow inspire or encourage you to let go and allow God to do His work in and through you.

My story is unique. Maybe you read through the summary, or glanced through the chapters and recognized something that you could relate to. Maybe you too had father issues, or even both parents abandoned you. If that is something you struggled with, let this book encourage you to let go of the pain of the past and step into the present. God has so much in store for you if you just let Him take control. The joy you will find in doing so will overwhelm your soul.

Alternatively, my life and my story may not be like anything you can relate to. Would you allow yourself to look past the specific details of my life and insert your own struggles? Let God take control of whatever is holding you down, or holding you back from truly experiencing real joy.  Allow God to take on the hurt and pain of this world and let his love for you invade your soul. The joy you will encounter will become so abundant. 

This story started out with me, trying to find myself; find who I was without a dad. God allowed me to transform in the process. The book took a transformation as well. This was always God’s book and I was just the human writing it for Him, but like all humans we tend to take control. I prayed through every page of this book and made sure that the control and guidance for this book stayed in His hands. I wanted this book to bring Him glory and not myself. Indeed, He showed me that so strongly. I thought, “Okay, God, here I am. Please give me the words today.” He always did. I assumed that the book would end a certain way and when I thought maybe I was nearing the end, He lead me farther. Farther than I ever anticipated going. Because of that He began to do something amazing inside of me, He healed my heart. All the hurt and pain that had scarred me, he healed and I began to forgive those men that caused me that pain. 

I am not the same person I was when I began to write this, I hope you too will not be the same person who starts out reading this book. I pray that this too will be true for you, that you will begin to come to peace with your past, and live in Joy for today, and find hope for tomorrow. Only God can give you this peace, joy and hope. 

I have been a Christian for 25 years now, and I too am evolving. This year, I actually let go of my life and gave it to God. I had trouble relinquishing control. When I decided that what I was doing was never going to work, and what I wanted was never going to fulfill me, I gave it ALL to God. Every ounce of me, every hair on my head is all His. I wanted to feel Him near me, I do. I wanted to do His work, I am. This very book is the product of obedience. Even if I do not sell one book, even if not one person ever opens the cover, I know that I answered His call, and obeyed Him to the end. I pray you do the same. 

Lastly, I pray that if you do not know Jesus, or have a personal relationship with Him that after you read this you will. Walking with Jesus through this rough life is exactly what you need.  It is all you will ever need. Call on Him today and let him wash you clean. 

God placed this book in your hand for a reason and I pray that these words go straight to your heart. I pray He will heal your hurt, just like He healed my own.  Take a step today and follow Him.