Back in 2011 I went on a Missions trip to Portland, OR., Seattle WA., and British Columbia. It was quite an adventure, but instead of sharing about the whole adventure, I was just reminded of a woman who blessed my heart so much. The woman's name is Sharon, and she is an artist. My friend Tim decided to buy one of her paintings; it is beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as this woman, and her heart for the Lord. Sharon is disabled, and she can't really communicate with her words at all. Despite her disabilities, Sharon has more joy in her heart than anyone I have ever met! Then just when I thought it couldn't get brighter, her joy was escalated when Tim bought her painting, it was so inspiring to see such pure honest real Joy from the Father. As we were leaving, Sharon looked up and grabbed my friend Dan's cross necklace, gave him a giant smile, a heartfelt groan from within, and a thumbs up. You could see the love and gratitude she had in her eyes at the moment, and though she couldn't communicate with her words, I just knew at that moment she wanted us to know that she loved our precious Savior and knew who He was! It brought tears to my eyes, and helped me begin to see God in a whole new way! Praising the Lord for the reminder today that we need to live our lives, and be who He created us to be despite circumstances or disabilities. Let's not let the world hold us back,we were created for so much more! We need to walk in the joy He has so freely given us, no shame, no guilt, no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus! Let's rejoice with Him, for the beautiful masterpieces that we are.....He has created us to be His...Let's walk in the matter worthy to be called His! Praying this over all of you..that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit (One of those in Joy!) in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God! Colossians 1:10