Joy and Confession

Yesterday, during his sermon, Richard shared with us his desire for us to be a confessing church. Over the next year he wants confession one to another to be more a part of who we are--- For it to be just how we operate in our relationships with each other. More of a freedom to be real and to be willing to be held accountable and to be willing to be involved enough to follow up and ask someone else how they are doing in an area of struggle over sin. He didn't say ALL of what I just said, but I know that's what he meant. I can read that man's mind(heehee) During prayer time, I almost asked for prayer for Joy. I was afraid I would say more than I really wanted to say so I just told God and kept quiet like I usually do during prayer request time. Soooo, when Richard shared his vision for Providence in the area of being more transparent, I already knew my confession. I need more JOY. I don't know if that's really the confession though. Since Joy comes as a gift from our Lord, I guess its more of a complaint or maybe I should say request: ) The confession would be not going enough to the source of Joy. I'm a pull yourself up by your bootstraps kinda girl so when I get over whelmed with the work load here at our house or bickering amongst the people I live with--or I'm worried about little technicalities in this fleeting earthly life I try to just work harder or faster or smarter or do better or think of really good solutions. That's my confession and prayer request all at once. I want daily, hour by hour and minute by minute to learn from, go to and trust and rest in Him, my Father up above. Here is an amazing verse I plan to set to memory.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
—Psalm 16:11

I'm really thankful for God placing this on my heart. It is a sign of hope to me that he has a plan to see it through. He would not begin it if he had no intentions of completing it.