I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy...


It’s been a few weeks since my last entry, because I got married last weekend and so I took a hiatus from blogging. My new name is Natalie Ford, but I’ll continue to write as Natalie Flake so my website will stay the same.

Our wedding day was perfect! The weather was absolutely gorgeous. We were so humbled by the number of guests who came to share in our special day. My groom looked so handsome, and my daughter was glowing as she walked me down the aisle. A friend even told me that as the musicians sang, “Love Song” by Third Day, a yellow butterfly fluttered over the crowd, as if it was celebrating with us.

We are ecstatic about what God is doing in our lives. He truly has turned our tears to joy. Jeff and I have reflected on God’s goodness in bringing us together so many times. This is a year of jubilee in my life!

Saturday night was our first night together as a married couple in our home, and the dog barked all night long. On our way to church Sunday morning, the reason became all too clear. Our pesky neighborhood bear came a callin’.

You see, while we were basking in God’s goodness, the bear was busy digging up our trash. Isn’t this how Satan works? God wants us to experience his joy and peace, but the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. There have been so many times in the past when I’ve let Satan steal my joy by changing my focus to my “past garbage” or to difficult circumstances. We have to be on defense, meditating on the Word and clinging to Christ.

God has made all things new. He is our Redeemer. He is our Peace. He is Perfect Love. Don’t let the enemy throw your trash in your face to paralyze you from moving forward. Celebrate the greatness of our Father!


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Tears to Joy: I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy...

Monday, April 15, 2013

I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy...


It’s been a few weeks since my last entry, because I got married last weekend and so I took a hiatus from blogging. My new name is Natalie Ford, but I’ll continue to write as Natalie Flake so my website will stay the same.

Our wedding day was perfect! The weather was absolutely gorgeous. We were so humbled by the number of guests who came to share in our special day. My groom looked so handsome, and my daughter was glowing as she walked me down the aisle. A friend even told me that as the musicians sang, “Love Song” by Third Day, a yellow butterfly fluttered over the crowd, as if it was celebrating with us.

We are ecstatic about what God is doing in our lives. He truly has turned our tears to joy. Jeff and I have reflected on God’s goodness in bringing us together so many times. This is a year of jubilee in my life!

Saturday night was our first night together as a married couple in our home, and the dog barked all night long. On our way to church Sunday morning, the reason became all too clear. Our pesky neighborhood bear came a callin’.

You see, while we were basking in God’s goodness, the bear was busy digging up our trash. Isn’t this how Satan works? God wants us to experience his joy and peace, but the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. There have been so many times in the past when I’ve let Satan steal my joy by changing my focus to my “past garbage” or to difficult circumstances. We have to be on defense, meditating on the Word and clinging to Christ.

God has made all things new. He is our Redeemer. He is our Peace. He is Perfect Love. Don’t let the enemy throw your trash in your face to paralyze you from moving forward. Celebrate the greatness of our Father!


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1 Comments:

At April 17, 2013 at 10:26 AM , Blogger Brad Lartigue said...

This is wonderful for me to read this morning. Thank You Natalie for this important reminder as God also takes me down a path of Joy, but the enemy is trying to also throw stumbling blocks. Your message here really spoke to me. I am SO excited for You and Jeff and not to also forget Jorjanne as well. Love you all!

 

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