WEAR JOY

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of
Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine
Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt
stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form
at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL
NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day.
The winner will be announced on New Year's Day at the Pearl Girls Blog! Pearls - a tangible reminder
of God's grace to us all.

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Wear Joy
by Rachel Hauck

Thanksgiving day in central Florida broke warm and sunny under a blue sky. The thin fall
breeze beckoned me. Taking my bike out, I rode the neighborhood feeling so grateful for
all my blessings.

Joy bubbled up in my spirit. I’d been feeling it for a day, these waves of joy, but as I rode
my bike and talked to God, the waves strengthened and splashed my heart the entire ride.

I’d laugh. Then tear up. And laugh again. As one who’s battled and won the war on
anxiety and fear attacks, the onslaught of joy was welcomed, and actually sparked a new
prayer in my heart. I’ve endured attacks of panic, time for attacks of joy.

The journey of joy began earlier in the year while writing a book coincidentally
named, “Dining with Joy.”

Sitting at my table one day, revelation hit me. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10. The more I meditated on it, the more I wanted His joy. I don’t want my
strength. I want His.

Not long after, I went to Nashville for a girl’s weekend. One of my friends handed me a
coffee cup inscribed with “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Ever just know? God is calling.

During the holiday season, I turn 50. Yep, the big 5-0. Can’t stop it, I might as well
embrace it.

Fifty is often associated with jubilee, a time of restoration, and healing, even release from
debt and slavery. It’s a time of returning to property, and inheritance.

A time of rest.

A time of JOY!

This past week, a friend gifted me with a beautiful Christmas ornament. Inscribed on it?
You guessed it.

JOY!

To me, the world doesn’t look very joyful. There are social and economic woas. But God
is speaking and offering joy.

As you go into this holiday season, ask God for a pearl of joy. Like pearls, crafted
through abrasion, God’s true joy is often formed in us during difficult seasons.

Here’s the thing, His strength isn’t doled out based on our goodness, our success or
failure, or the fact the holiday season is hard or sad for you. He is ready, willing and able
to overcome all your weaknesses, fears and anxiety, sadness with the power of His very
own joy.

His joy. Your strength.

I’ve been walking into rooms, houses, outdoors, raising my arms and shouting, “Joy!”
People look at me funny, but I want to spread the joy of the Lord. To spread the very
essence of His strength.

How about you? Can you find the pearl of joy in your life, in the essence of God’s
heart toward you?

Wear joy this season.

 ~~~

About Rachel: RITA-finalist Rachel Hauck lives in Florida
with her husband, Tony. She is the author of Dining with Joy; Sweet
Caroline; Love Starts with Elle; and The Sweet By and By, co-
authored with Sara Evans. For more information please visit www.rachelhauck.com.

Oh, and be sure to enter Rachel's Dining With Joy NOOK eReader giveaway!

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you
need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on
the Pearl Girls Blog (http://
margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more
information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info