Tuesday With Teri

Devotions from lessons I'm learning from God

Jose’ December 20, 2025

Filed under: devotionals — tlmiller82 @ 4:19 pm
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(Not an actual photo of Jose’)

This 4th week of Advent we consider JOY.  It is always one of my favorite themes on which to focus.  Every year, I am reminded of the difference between joy and happiness.   Happiness is rooted in circumstances, and circumstances are constantly changing.  I love to be happy, but happiness is not always my companion; sometimes I am decidedly unhappy.  But JOY, the joy of the Lord, bubbles up from within us, not due to circumstances, but through the understanding that God is with us, fulfilling His promises. Joy is the knowing that while things may not always seem okay, our God has and will continue to bring us through.

When the angels appeared to the shepherds that night, they did not say “we are about to make you happy, instead they proclaimed “ …behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.”   The world could let out a collective breath that they may not have even known was being held. The Advent of Jesus Christ would mean reconciliation with God, atonement for our sin, grace, and peace in our hearts.  This is truly joyous news!  Daily, I find myself forgetful of this great gift.  I struggle in my flesh, seek happiness only, angrily shake my fist at the world, or wring my hands in despair…But our God said, “I got this” long before we faced our difficult days.   He is worthy of so much joy-filled praise for His great love for us.  Last Sunday, I saw this in action.

His name is Jose’.  I only know this because of a brief “turn and say hello to your neighbor” aspect in the church’s order of service.  He was kind and earnest, his warm smile pushed up his greying mustache, the ends of which nearly met the laugh-lined outer creases of his bright eyes.  The service began.  On the first musical note of the holiday hymn Jose’ sprang to life.  His face turned upward, his arms flowing along with the tune, his gestures punctuating each word of the song.  It was as if he were directing the music.  That morning, as hymns, praise songs, and scriptures were sung, Jose’ seemed unaware of anyone around him.  It was as if he could not help himself…buoyantly reaching up and out as if trying to touch the literal hem of the garment of God.  At one point, I wondered if I was going to need to reach out to grasp his shoes if he levitated off the ground.  He was filled with Joy and it flowed forth in the most beautiful and quiet way.   The image of Jose’ has stayed with me this week…Oh to be reaching out, looking up and overflowing with the understanding of this great JOY… the Joy He gives us through the redemption we find in Christ Jesus. 

In the quiet of the morning, as I sat with my coffee by our Christmas tree, I couldn’t help but think of Jose’….in my prayers, in my life, may I always be reaching out, looking up and seeking God, with a longing to worship God from an overflow of JOY.

Friends,

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

 

Joy- a Choice to Trust December 17, 2024

Filed under: advent,Christianity,Christmas,devotionals — tlmiller82 @ 10:23 am
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The advent theme JOY is perhaps my favorite of the advent themes.  I probably should not have a favorite; they are all pivotal moments in our remembrance of why we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I just love that JOY is not seasonal or situational.  Joy does not require me or my circumstances to be perfect or perfectly happy. 

I like this explanation: Joy is a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill His promises.

Joy is a gift for any heart in knowing God has provided a way, just as He promised, for all of us to be reconciled to Him.  This is the “good news of a  GREAT JOY which shall be for ALL the people”, proclaimed to those shepherds in Luke 2:10

 I have a renewed understanding of this explanation of joy.

We had some young adult guests in our home the other evening.  A few of them noticed a framed photo on our wall, a gift from my daughter.  It was taken in 1984, the night before we were married.  We were just kids, one month from turning twenty, and unable to imagine the future we would share.  In wonder they said, “Wow, that is a long time, you must be very happy.”    At that exact moment, I was indeed very happy.  I am blessed to share love and life with Scott.  We have had a ton of happiness.  But I also know our journey has had plenty of unhappy times.  Afterall, we are imperfect people navigating life in an imperfect world.  In our lives, happiness is wonderful, but it is not what matters most. 

What fills the heart, encourages grace, propels us through hard times, comforts, gives us confidence, and allows us to love one another every day is this:  We share a lasting emotion that comes from our choice to trust the promise we made to one another that day in 1984.

Choosing to trust God in all things, knowing He has done and will do all He has promised, is a deeply planted seed of joy that will sustain you in all your days.   May this week be filled with joy, not just the happy sights and sounds of Christmas time, but the deep-down joy of knowing God fulfills His promises.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

 

 

Journey December 9, 2020

Filed under: devotionals — tlmiller82 @ 3:51 pm
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Each week, four leading up to Christmas, we pause to remember the birth of our Savior.  In some households a candle is lit for each of the advent themes. These days we live aboard a boat, so instead we will “turn on” a flameless candle as we consider the second theme of advent, JOY.

A white square with black typeface print.  I can see it in my mind as clear as if I was still standing in my old kitchen staring at the prominent fridge magnet…its words, a reflection of an effort to course correct:  Life is Journey, Not a Destination  This would become our mantra, a rallying cry, a reminder of our intent to enjoy the journey.  How did this magnet find its way to our fridge?  Well, you see, years ago one member of our household struggled with “journeys”.  Traversing shopping malls, careers, hiking trails or highways, they had a “get to the other place” mindset.  This was not always a bad thing.  This is a focus that often propelled them/us to important places, life events and milestones in a timely and helpful fashion.  But it also created a sense of stress, rush and frustration.  Then one day, they proclaimed they were going to be ALL about the JOURNEY in life.  It was a powerful shift, not easy or natural.  I marveled at the intentional effort, the impact was unmistakable in our lives.   

These days remembering to enjoy the journey is a challenge we both continually face.  Perhaps it is time to buy another magnet for the boat fridge?  This week the journey is weighing on my heart.  As I prepared to write this post about JOY, the image of that old black and white magnet danced in my head like the “sugar plumb fairy” from that famous poem.  I often find my focus is on getting through, arriving on the other side of difficult days, enduring, seeking a completion, a resting place. I am destination minded.   I have been busy white knuckling the reins of my life(and that of my adult kids if I’m being honest), reins I grabbed from the very capable hands of my Heavenly Father, and trying to “journey” my way faster, easier, in and around all the days I deemed to be difficult, painful, hard and unsettling.

Our pastor once said, regarding the life/national/world events of this year, “Perhaps it is not about what God is doing to us, but rather what He is doing for us?”   I’m glad our service was a virtual one, I would not have been proud of the face I made,(an emoji eye roll comes to mind).  But the more I considered his words, the more I felt lead to spend less time wringing my hands and more time looking for the hands of God.  I had been so intent on being saved from the journey, that I almost missed the gifting of it all.  God’s handiwork was easy to see when I stopped and looked. Still the struggle to find joy in the journey continued. And then this….as I checked in with a friend who has been battling cancer. His reply to my “How are your doing?” :

“Every day the Lord gives me is a gift and an excellent reason to give it my best.”  

I was shook at that truth as it applies to us all.  These days of our journey…easy, wonderful, full, precious, painful, worrisome, hard, trying…are gifts, and excellent reasons to give it our all.  Let us seek God in our journey, giving the days our all, knowing  the JOY of Him, ever mindful that He redeems us, He is for us, He is with us.  This is truly news of great JOY to ALL people…..

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bear a son, a they shall call His name Immanuel”( which means, God with us.) Matthew 1:23

He came to us, for us and will one day come again!

P.S. I think I do need a new fridge magnet, I want to be reminded to treasure the journey…but I would amend it to read:  Life is a journey, with a destination!

 

Oh Baby! December 9, 2014

Filed under: devotionals — tlmiller82 @ 8:01 am
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V__3400 This is the second week of Advent. Each week, four leading up to Christmas, we pause in remembrance of the birth of our Savior. In some households a candle will be lit in recognition of each of the Advent themes. This week we light the candle of JOY.

 

My daughter, Ashley, was home from New York for Thanksgiving. We took advantage of her being in town for her to visit family friends, Pete and Kristin.  Kristin, and her older sister Kari, are like sisters to Ashley. They are the daughters of one of my best friends.  We have known them since Ashley was a preteen. Over the years they were always there with encouraging words, ready to listen and including her in their lives.  I know she misses seeing them both and she was glad to at least be able to see Kristin.  It was especially nice since Ashley had yet to meet Kristin and Pete’s newest addition, sweet baby Nixon.

 

The evening we arrived, Kristin’s home was already filled with family.  Pete’s mom and dad, brother, sister-in-law and their baby girl were all visiting for Thanksgiving.  I was engaging Pete’s dad in conversation when I noticed a concerned look on his face.  He looked at me and nodded toward Ashley.  “Is she okay?” he sweetly asked.   That’s when I saw it…I was so caught up in greeting people I almost missed it.

 

Kristin was standing beside Ashley after just placing baby Nixon in her arms.   Ashley, holding and seeing Nixon for the first time, was moved to tears.  She tried to turn away so no one would see her cry.  She knew we’d probably tease her.  I am pretty sure her tears surprised even her.  I was not surprised though.  I had seen her do this one other time, when she met Noah, Kari’s son, for the first time.

 

Pete’s compassionate dad continued to be concerned for her tears.  “Why is she crying?” he quietly asked me.   I assured him she was okay, but struggled with explaining “why”.  Teary eyed now myself, all I could bring myself to say was , “Its because she loves Kristin”.    He smiled, obviously relieved.

 

You see, Ashley does not cry every time she holds just any baby.  But that night, and when she held Kari’s son for the first time, she could not help but be overwhelmed.  She held and looked into the sweet face of a baby born to someone she loves dearly, someone who has loved her unconditionally.  They were tears of JOY.

 

I have thought of Ashley’s precious tears a lot this week.  In the Christmas season we are surrounded by images of baby Jesus.  What would it have been like if Mary had placed baby Jesus in my arms?  I feel certain I too would find myself moved to tears.  I know, because even as I write this, I am fighting back tears at just the thought.  I imagine holding the son of THE ONE I love completely.  Cradling Him in my arms and looking into the eyes of the son of the God who loves me unconditionally.  There would be tears, tears of JOY.

 

We may not be able to hold Him in our arms, but we can hold Him in our hearts.  May this week we consider the treasure of knowing the Son of God and forever mindful of the Joy of it all.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great JOY, that will be for all people.” Luke 2:10