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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Count it all joy

Pin It Anyone who has followed my blog for a while knows that I have done quite a few posts about joy in the past year and thanks to a little girl named Ivy Joy, I have learned the true meaning of joy. The kind of joy God wants us to have is not a feeling of joy. It is not an emotion or a holiday wish. It is a choice. We can choose joy every single day! Just like love. You don't feel madly in love when you are picking up stinky socks or surrendering your afternoon picnic plans because the game is on, but we can choose love every day and we are commanded to do so. I beleive God meant the same for joy. In sickness and in health, for richer or poor, there is still joy! James 1 tells us to consider hard times a gift! Pain, sorrow, stress, a gift???
I am standing firmly on allowing this -joy- to make me the woman God is shaping me to be. Sturdy, strong, well developed, forgiving, compassionate. Oh how I would love to be a woman will all of those characteristics. Like in James 1:2-4
And yet the pain, sorrow, and stress we often have to endure to grow spiritually always seem to be what make me second guess myself. Am I strong enough to choose joy? With Ivy in my life, it is so much easier to choose joy, even now. Even when things take a turn for the worse even when things go a whole different way than I expected! Ivy chooses joy every day. She has to feel like a semi truck is sitting on her chest. She feels tired all of the time. She is poked and bothered regularly. She is often hungry but tires of eating and would rather just be hungry. She knows pain and suffering more deeply than I will ever comprehend. And yet she chooses joy every single day. She pops up in bed and calls for me. She knows I don't make her better but she chooses joy anyway.
Today Ivy surprised us with a fever and some pretty crazy blood pressure. It took a cooling blanket and a dose of paralyzing medication to bring the fever down. A culture later tonight revealed that there is indeed some type of infection growing in her. She is on antibiotics and the ventilator. Her surgery is being postponed until they are certain she is well enough for it.
Not my plan, not a great thing, but I choose joy. How can I not? God used her to teach me this. I hope we can all learn from her. And in the meantime we will wait on The Lord for his perfect timing and perfect plan! Thank you Team Ivy for being here every single day no matter how crazy things get! Pin It

27 comments:

Teresa said...

We are all praying for sweet Ivy! Your right, we do choose joy, in every circumstance because we know God has the perfect plan and walks with us every step of the way!

HOPEdriven said...

Beautifully put...Ivy Joy has taught us all so much about the gift of life! Holding you all up in prayer, Mary!

Jennifer said...

Reading your words made me realize that I want to have that JOY. We are going through the "paper chase" of adopting a little girl in China currently and your story has given me hope. Hope that whatever I face, I don't face alone. I am praying for your sweet girl, and your family. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us!

Michelle said...

Your strength is amazing and can only come from one source. May God continue to keep Ivy in His hands and give you peace and patience. Praying for your sweet baby.
Michelle

Lori Sloan said...

I thought of a great phrase to describe your little girl ... tough and tiny! She'll make it through!

Annette Duty said...

God Bless little Ivy Joy! You're all in our thoughts and prayers always!

John & Michelle said...

Bless you all! We check in several times a day and continue to pray for Ivy's broken heart!

stephanie said...

you are an inspiration as a mother and a human being....continuing to pray for your family!

Paige said...

your words are beautiful my friend, and yes it is a choice, one I am thankful to witness through you and your family. Know we are praying fervently over here in Tennessee!!

Paula said...

Sending hugs and prayers from Canada.

Laine said...

Praying praying praying....

Melody Lietzau said...

Love this post and your tender heart. Praying for this sweet baby girl. xoxo

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post Mary. So true, that we choose Joy. That is something that is very hard to do sometimes. You and Ivy are an inspiration to a lot of us. We are praying in WV for precious Ivy and for you. ((Hugs))

Unknown said...

Come on Ivy!! We are praying for healing and God's will for little Ivy! Mary, wishing you peace and Joy as you navigate through Boston's medical system! You are in our thoughts often. Colleen and Crew in Ohio

Anonymous said...

We choose joy with you Mary and for your Ivy Joy and wrap her in prayer and wishes for healing and comfort. I am a stranger to you but know that I am inspired by your faith and hope you feel all the love and prayers for your family from afar!
Best
Antinette Mama to Hadley

Teachn18 said...

I have learned so much from sweet Ivy Joy and you!! Your strength is encouraging. I'm continuing to prayer Daily for sweet Ivy. May Gods healing hands be placed upon her.
With love from Florida,
Krissy

sierrasmom said...

Mary...we are praying for you all! Thank you for keeping us updated....
Kathie

bytheriver said...

Prayers for IVY - still can't get over how much she looks like our girl. My husband saw a picture of her and was shocked at it too.

Lisa said...

We, too, choose joy! Joy that Ivy is yours and that you are hers! There is no greater gift:) We continue to hold your family up in prayer and revel in the miracle that you were brought together.

Jennifer P said...

Joy is a beautiful word. So much better than happy! Pray that Ivy had a restful night.

betsy said...

Sending strength, joy, and healing to your entire family, Mary...

Anonymous said...


Mary,how beautiful you have expressed the JOY-- you have an amazing way with words, you are such an inspiration to us all!! thank you! God Bless IVYJOY !! knock out the infection and continue to be with her and her loved ones!! Help us NEVER lose the JOY!! Cathy in Illinois!!

maria said...

Joy in all things. It is possibly one of the hardest lessons, yet one of our greatest gifts given by God. We learned this while walking our journey with our son who lived with cancer for 14 months. When your child lives with a serious illness they live with such grace. That God-given grace can't help but change people's hearts, inspire strength and courage and compel you to chose love and joy despite whatever challenges come. It is such a blessing to witness such light. Please know we are keeping your precious girl in our hearts and prayers.
In Christ,
Maria (mama of five, three at home, one in Heaven and one beautiful baby girl waiting in China)

Anonymous said...

He is with you, Mary, and the entire Sammons clan. He always has been and He always will be. He delights in you and how you shine His light. Shine on sweetie.

Kristi said...

Praying for sweet, beautiful, Ivy!

Janice said...

Praying for you precious Ivy. You are so loved..by your family, by those who have met you in person, by those of us who have followed your beautiful story here, but most importantly by your Father. May He give you and your family strength and peace. Shine little Ivy! SHINE!!

Unknown said...

I just came across your blog... You are an amazing family. My prayers are for Ivy and your family. I pray for the doctors and nurses working with her in this fragile time. I pray that her body becomes free of infection and her heart continues to be strong. Miracles do happen. With Him all things are possible.
May God continue to perform miracles on Ivy. And may you momma continue to choose JOY.
Blessings from Wisconsin.

 
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