JOY

It's been a tough few months, with my husband deployed and at times what feels like there is no end in site of when he will be home. I have to continually encourage myself to press forward and to stay strong for him, my family and my country. As anyone could imagine, this is a task that takes a ton of strength.

You might be tossing about in a sea of despair. You might even feel as if the waves of life’s seas are crashing in on you, with your battles never won and not enough strength to fight.

This is an awesome, encouraging short story I got from my mom and thought I would share with you.

"It seems a storm caught a sea-faring vessel off a rocky coast. The wind and waves threatened to drive the boat to its certain destruction.

In the midst of the terror, one daring passenger, contrary to orders, made his way across the ship. Groping along a passageway, he found the pilot house. There he beheld an intriguing sight; the ship's pilot was lashed to his post. Secure against the raging elements, he held the wheel fast, turning the ship, inch by inch, once more out to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled.

The daring passenger found his way below deck where other passengers huddled. Encouragingly, he said, "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled.... ALL IS WELL."
Steve Goodier, Author


There are times we need to hear those words and be reminded that "all is well”. It’s tough at times to say these three small words to yourself and have enough faith within you to actually believe it..and receive it.

My heart is encouraged and my faith restored as I remind myself that my Pilot smiles in the midst of my raging storm!

The story tells us "The pilot saw the watcher and smiled." I love to stop and think about that.......our heavenly Father...our Captain never takes the back seat and is always there to protect you! We must continually focus upon Him and rest in the comfort and peace of His Smile, knowing that He will fight our battles, calm our storms and heal our broken hearts.

Psalm 107:28-30 says it best..

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.


"To their desired haven" Hmm...think about that alone in itself, what is your desired haven? Is it a quest to find your identity again? Is it that you've lost hope in your own ability to pull yourself up by your own boot straps? Is it to smile and laugh again?

I received an FB email from an old high school friend yesterday that I have not spoken to in 15 years. In her email she simply said, "It's so fun to see your face again, I can almost hear your laughter" This email really touched my heart and I got to thinking. I realized that I had forgotten how to laugh, or even what my own laugh sounded like. I haven’t laughed with true Joy for quite a while because I've felt so spiritually weak.

It says in Nehemiah 8-9 "The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength". It's so apparent...in order to have peace you must have Joy and without Joy you have no strength!! We all need HIS strength!!!! This is my desired haven. To truly have Joy restored within me again! It's such an awesome feeling to have had connected the dots. This is so simple yet I have made it so complicated.

I encourage you to ask yourself what your "desired haven" is. Whatever it may be, let your Heavenly Father..your Captain take the wheel and direct your course.

Rest in the comfort that you will reach your destiny and fulfill the purpose God has for you and remember "ALL IS WELL"


Can you see your Pilot smiling at you now? How awesome is it to know that you’re never alone! He will always give you the strength you need to make it through the storm. So, SMILE and reach out to Him and let His smile give you peace, strength and JOY!!!