Newberry, FL 32669 Bridge Logos, Inc. Newberry, FL 32669 Dedication Joy For All Seasons By Carol Burton McLeod Copyright ©2016 by Bridge Logos, Inc. This Book is Lovingly Dedicated to: All rights reserved. Under International Copyright Law, no part of the publication Carolyn Ashcraft Hogan may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopy), recording, or otherwise—without written permission from My mentor, role model and life-long friend. the Publisher. Printed in the United States of America. You have taught me how to live a life of constant devotion to Christ. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2016937556 You have taught me how to simply rest in His presence. International Standard Book Number: 978-1610361569 Paperback International Standard Book Number: 978-1610360692 Hardcover You have taught me the value of doing life on my knees. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962, Thank you, Carolyn, for showing me that there truly is 1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission Joy for all seasons of life! The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 08-02-16 Endorsements Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to choose joy in every situation? In Joy For All Seasons you will discover how to trust God when life isn’t fair, how to ponder Scripture that will transform your thinking, and how to develop a daily pattern for turning disappointment and hurt into a heart that rejoices in the middle of uncertainty. You’ll discover it’s okay to ask God the hard questions—but you’ll also learn to immediately seek answers in His truth! Carol McLeod has done a masterful job of pointing us to abiding joy in the middle of life’s harsh realities. Buy one copy of this book for yourself and ten more to give to your friends. — CAROL KENT, SPEAKER AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF WHEN I LAY MY ISAAC DOWN (NAVPRESS) Carol McLeod knows grief and depression first-hand -- but more importantly, she knows the secret to moving through dark valleys where jubilant joy lights up our lives. In both poetic and practical ways, Joy For All Seasons takes us from despair to delight using a simple plan, proven to break our chains of emotional bondage. No matter what season you are in, you will benefit from reading this healing devotional. — ANITA AGERS BROOKS, INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESS/LIFE COACH, INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF GETTING THROUGH WHAT YOU CAN’T GET OVER, DEATH DEFIED, LIFE DEFINED: A MIRACLE MAN’S MEMOIR, AND FIRST HIRED, LAST FIRED: HOW TO BECOME IRREPLACEABLE IN ANY JOB MARKET In Joy For All Seasons Carol’s life giving spirit breathes hope and healing into a place of hopelessness and despair. Her words will leave you feeling inspired and empowered to live each and every day to the fullest. Table of Contents —SARAH MCLEAN, CEO OF PROJECT31 AND AUTHOR OF PINK IS THE NEW BLACK Week 1—Joy is With Him!. 1 Week 2—Journey To Joy. 6 Week 3—Your Heart’s Desire. .10 Get ready for a fresh wind of hope that lasts! With real and raw honesty, Week 4—Just One Thing. .14 armed with practical, simple joy strategies, my friend Carol McLeod will show you how to shake off discouragement and enter into a new realm of Week 5—Layers . 18 lasting, true JOY! Week 6—To Love and Be Loved. 22 —LYNETTE LEWIS, CORPORATE SPEAKER, CONSULTANT AND AUTHOR Week 7—In The Wait. .25 OF CLIMBING THE LADDER IN STILETTOS Week 8—Your Words. .29 Week 9—Fear Not!. 34 Week 10—The Best Addiction. 39 While facing a terrifying cancer journey, Carol McLeod lived what she Week 11—Life: Measured by Time. 43 has written - exuding joy, kindness and love. She knows from experience how Week 12—Not My Will. .47 to tap into the deep well of God’s empowering joy. This book is encouraging, Week 13—Indeed! . 50 convicting and a must read!! Week 14—Embraced by Grace. 56 , CO-HOST OF “100 HUNTLEY STREET” —CHERYL WEBER Week 15—An Ache of the Soul. .61 Week 16—One In A Million. 66 Week 17—The Pain of “Good-bye!” . .70 Week 18—For Moms Everywhere … and For Those Who are Not Moms. 74 Week 19—A Four-Letter Word. .79 Week 20—Discovering the Good Part . .82 Week 21—Disappointment …Your Finest Hour. .86 Week 22—Trust His Heart. .91 Week 23—The Treasure of Today. .95 Week 24—A Powerful Addiction. 99 Week 25—I Will!. 102 Week 26—The God of the “Hard”. 106 Week 27—In the Wait. 110 Introduction Week 28—Just 18 Summers. .114 Week 29—The Wonder of YOU!. 119 Did you ever wish that you could just have a cup of tea and an Week 30—Prayer … It’s All I Have. 123 afternoon of conversation with a woman who just “gets you”? Week 31—Overwhelmed . .128 Have you ever desired to dig deeply into the treasures of a Week 32—Difficult People. 132 woman’s heart who has experienced many seasons of life? Week 33—The Elusive Nature of Time. .135 Perhaps you desperately long to receive a strategy from a woman who has been to battle and has actually come out alive! Wouldn’t it be Week 34—The Blessing of Closed Doors. 138 wonderful to see the sparkle in her eyes, the spring in her step and the Week 35—At The Beach … With Jesus . .141 grin on her face in the season after the battle has ended?! Week 36—The Twelve-Year-Old You. 145 If those particular desires have lingered in your heart, perhaps Week 37—Ain’t Life Grand?!. 150 by picking up this book, you have come to the right place! Joy For All Seasons is more than a memory book, it is richer than a stand- Week 38—The Dread of What Lies Ahead. 153 up conversation and it is certainly not a soliloquy. This book is a Week 39—Give Me Another Mountain!. 156 weekly devotional that will draw you into thoughtful prayer, vibrant Week 40—No Little Plans. .161 change and, as always, turn your heart toward the Father. Week 41—Sing Louder!. .165 You will see yourself in this book! You might even exclaim, “Why! I didn’t know that anyone else felt like that!” But this is not a book Week 42—A Thousand Years!. .171 chiefly about feelings; it is a call to allow your life to mirror the life of Week 43—A Toothpick of a Boy. .175 Jesus. It is a challenge to walk away from the mundane and from the Week 44—When Hope Is Your Only Hope. 180 ordinary. It is a loving invitation to be embraced in a life so rare and so compelling that even the angels stand to their feet and applaud. Week 45—Turn Up the Volume!. .185 My prayer for you as you read and meditate on these weekly Week 46—Commonly Uncommon. .189 devotions is that you will find that place of quiet rest that is unique Week 47—Thanksgiving … Thanks-speaking … only in the heart of God. Please take the time to incorporate the Thanks-singing … Thanks-living!. 194 suggested Bible readings into your weekly readings. After all, it is not Week 48—What Can I Give Him?. 199 human words that actually matter … it is only God’s powerful words that will bring complete change and lasting comfort to your life. Week 49—The Best of Times … The Worst of Times. .204 Also, I do hope that you will take the time to answer the questions Week 50—Merry Christmas … With Joy!. .208 at the end of each devotional. This book is not just about me … it is Week 51—Something So Wonderful!. .212 about you and I pursuing the heart and plan of God for our lives. Week 52—Auld Lang Syne. 215 And finally, this book has been written in a style that is easy to share with others. I hope that you will use this book to facilitate xi JOYconversations FOR ALL SEASONS and sweet devotions with those whom you know the best and love the most. Acknowledgements And so, my new friend, as you immerse yourself in this book, this is my heartfelt prayer for you … The words “thank you” are the two most underused words in the “I am asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to human language. No matter how times those two words are written, His will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in spoken, whispered, shouted or sung, it is never enough. which God works. And so … let me just say … to my family … I pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making Him proud Thank you to my husband and love of my life, Craig, who endures of you as you work hard in His orchard. As you learn more and unfolded laundry, messy bathrooms and countless meals from Panera more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. while I am in the throes of completing a book. Thank you for cheering for me … for loving me … and for believing in me! I pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long Thank you to my mom, Joan Burton Ormanoski, and her haul — not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory- wonderful husband, Leo, for their companionship, love and prayers.