Joyless or Joyful

Today, I was one eyelash away from snapping. I have been so busy lately that my house and car look like squatters live in them. Busier than a one-eyed cat staring at nine rat holes. That is busy.

Since 2024, three others and I have been helping an elderly man who is unwell. His daughter has both mental and physical health challenges, and there is no one to care for her when he passes away.

The four of us took on the responsibility of placing his daughter in a much-needed adult group home. After navigating red tape and government systems, she was placed in December. In a few days, he will move into assisted living.

While we have worked very hard to make sure they are taken care of, my family has been neglected. Don’t get me wrong—my husband and my 11-year-old son understand why—but I still feel guilty.

As I was cleaning today, I opened my son’s closet and found his Christmas gifts sitting untouched. They’ve been opened, but we haven’t used them. I felt that guilt hit hard. I want to set up his 3D printer, home theater, and get his vlogging camera going.

I sat down and asked myself, Are my priorities messed up? I felt overwhelmed with all the emotions. I work a full-time job and homeschool my son, and with the added responsibilities I’ve taken on, I am drained.

Finances have been a major factor in placing Mr. L. Over the past week, we have searched through all of his earthly treasures, trying to find anything of value. We found quite the collection of jewelry and weren’t sure what it might be worth.

So my dearest friend Robin and I loaded it up and took it to a local jeweler. We knew exactly how much money was needed to get Mr. L situated. As the jeweler went through the pieces, he gave us the rundown—and then quoted the exact amount we needed. We both almost cried.

That, my friends, was a God moment.

God has shown Himself throughout this entire journey, and we thank Him daily for His provision. But in that moment, God let me know that the work we were doing was exactly what we were supposed to be doing.

Sometimes God shifts your focus to someone who needs a little extra time. You are there to show them His goodness. Sometimes all you are called to do is be there.

We have laughed so much this week with Mr. L. He tells us often how much he loves us and how much he loves a noisy house. He has joined in on some of our shenanigans. We’ve spent late nights at his home cleaning and sorting through his life, and he has never once complained about the noise—or us going through his most personal and prized possessions.

We’ve sprayed each other with perfume strong enough to choke a horse. Robin fell off stools. We dressed Will up like a pilgrim. As a group, we saw things that never should have crossed our vision.

There is still more to do once he moves out, and I know there will be more laughter ahead. Mr. L will be truly missed, but he will be close by, and we will visit often. He has been like a grandfather to us, and we have been like grandchildren running through his house.

If you ever get the chance to shine your light for Jesus—do it. The blessings are worth it.

Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.”

Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

James 2:14–17 – Faith without works is dead.

The Christmas gifts are next on my to-do list.