About Joy

I am a writer, photog, mother of 3, wife to the love of my life and a seeker of Christ. I talk about this journey as a recovering narcissistic, self loathing, hypocrite. The goal is to start a conversation through either words or moments captured through the lens. Most importantly, it has to be authentic. Otherwise, what's the point?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Joy

A Boy's Journey
by Joy Cannis

We walk down the path together when suddenly he pulls his hand from mine.
“I want to go this way.” he says.

Without hesitation he turns and begins to walk down the dirt path towards the bridge, crossing the creek.

It’s my first glimpse into his journey from boy to man.
From reliance to independence, hesitancy to determination, dependent to provider.

I want to protect him from all of the madness of the world. For a short time, I will.

Every journey reaches a place of letting go. This is rather painless for some while difficult for many.

One moment I’m singing lullaby’s and the next he has a family of his own.

No matter the path chosen, we must enjoy the journey. So that when the time comes for reflection of one’s life, there are minimal regrets and bountiful blessings.

I look forward to the weekly photo challenge each week. It has sparked my creativity and challenged me in the most wonderful ways. To see other bloggers depictions of the weekly photo challenge or to share your own, click here.

Five Minute Friday: Light

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Joy

Every Friday I link up to The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday. It is a time when I can write uninhibited and not spend hours editing and tweaking. It’s fun, you should try it. On this good Friday, the prompt is “light.” Ready?

Light
by Joy Cannis

Light dispels darkness.

The light of the world paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that I did not have to live in darkness, but He still left the choice up to me.

When I let that truth sink in I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

I began praying more than 10 years ago that God would make me a light in a dark world. That I would so shine before others that they could not help but ask what was fueling the flame.

It has been a process…a journey.

I remember the first time someone asked me what was different about me. I was at work and talking with a co worker who was rather ruff around the edges. She had never been nice to me or opened up to me about anything.

On this particular day, that all changed. After a discussion lasting only a few minutes she asked, “What’s different about you? Why are you always so… happy?!”

With a smile I said, “Believe me, I’m not always happy. This has been one of the hardest years of my life. But I believe in a God who is faithful even when it doesn’t feel like it. It’s easier for me to rest in that and praise Him for what He has already done. There is no denying His track record.”

This led to many more conversations about God and all of the many things that go along with believing in Him.

I would love to tell you that we had this magical moment where we knelt down, a bright light shown down on us and because of something I had said, she professed her faith in Jesus. It didn’t happen that way. She and I are still having conversations.

Our relationship keeps me seeking when every day life as a believer feels mundane. I wish it never felt that way, but I will not apologize for saying that it does.

I can’t see her heart. Maybe she does believe? Maybe she has surrendered her life to the One who loves her enough to die? Only she and God know the answer to that.

What I can see is what happens when I obey and trust. God has called me to be a light in the world. Only light can bring more light. Some people will misunderstand, maybe even become annoyed by the fact that I am a card carrying, Jesus lovin’ gal who is sold out to Christ. That’s okay. We all have to walk our own path.

If asked, I will say to them, “How could I not emulate the one who saved me from myself? Who met me at my lowest point, in my darkest hour. He wasn’t waiting for me to show up at a scheduled time on Sunday, looking like I had it all together. He found me. Don’t ever underestimate the places He is willing to go to find those He loves. He is the Ultimate Rescuer.”

Today, this day that marks one of the most important moments in the life of a follower of Jesus, I will remember that He was beaten beyond recognition. I will acknowledge the crown of thorns that was pushed into His head. I will confess that I might as well have been the one holding the hammer that drove the nails into his hands and feet. It was my sin that held Him there, caused the Father to turn away and ensured He took His final breath as payment for my transgressions.

by Joy Cannis

It is I who put Him there and I am the one for whom He died.

Finding Joy

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Joy

The thunder rumbles through the sky the way I would imagine the empty belly of a giant would sound. The rainfall goes between big, loud, fat raindrops and petite sprinkles through the leaves of the many trees that adorn the landscape.

The sound is intoxicating. This must be what peace sounds like.

As I sit in my sister-in-law’s beautiful mountain home that she so graciously extends to us, I close my eyes while listening to the thunder echo through the valleys and off of the granite mountain. Flashes of light dance through the afternoon sky. Nature’s symphony has begun and soon the frogs and crickets will join in tune.

This has been such a timely and wonderful retreat from the never-ending noise of the city.

While signs of new life are bursting open everywhere, petals are already falling from the Yoshino cherry trees and sticking to the ground. It’s a masterpiece.

This has been the perfect way to prepare for Easter by turning my attention from the everyday to the everlasting.

I have several photos to share with you from the past few days. Enjoy!

Footprints through the pollinated porch
by Joy Cannis

The rain is washing away the sneezes
by Joy Cannis

I would say this tree is firmly planted
by Joy Cannis

Throwing Rocks in the Creek
by Joy Cannis

The Bridge Over the Creek
by Joy Cannis

River Accessories
by Joy Cannis

Let them be Boys
by Joy Cannis

Wash Day at the Fire Station
by Joy Cannis

If I were entering a contest, this would be my submission

Serenity
by Joy Cannis

Do any of these photos evoke memories of your childhood or calm an anxious mind…even if just for a moment?
I would love to hear your thoughts.

Qualifications vs. Motivations

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Joy

How do you know if you’re qualified to have a positive impact in the life of another human being?

I’m no expert, but after observing and working with some incredible individuals who are changing the world one person at a time, while trusting God to provide what they need when they need it, this is what I have learned…

You don’t need;

A college degree
A passport
A car
The ability to speak a foreign language
A six figure income
To be a missionary
A perfect past
A membership
To have read the bible from cover to cover
A title
A 401K

You do need;

Willingness

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Don’t wait until you’re able. Your definition of “able” may never come. Open your clenched fists, releasing what you think is so important. Extend your open hands to the Creator of all things.

You bring the willingness, God will provide you with the ability.

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us…” ~Ephesians 3:20

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you still follow the same way of thinking that you were taught growing up? Do you agree that one determined individual can change the world?

If you want to see an example of faith in action, click on the organizations below to learn more.
Sole Hope
People of the Second Chance
charity: water
Sillicom Vally
Jud Wilhite
Christopher B. Wolf

Head full of Hope: A Story in Pictures

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Joy

This is a story about my Bella. She is 14 and always looking for ways to make a difference. With the limited resources that she has, she must get creative when supporting others. She knew that she had one thing to give that could potentially impact someone her own age.

Let’s see if a picture really is worth a thousand words…

In the chair at Van Michael Salon in Buckhead with Kelly

Kelly making the first cuts.

The first pieces are in her hand

Second section of cutting

12 inches of beautiful hair

Styling the new do

Remnants of what's left and unusable

Finished Product

She is smiling for several reasons. One being that she feels like she weighs 10 lbs. lighter.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Kelly at Van Michael Salon in Buckhead. She took care of everything. They are a participating salon in Locks of Love.

Strike that from the Record

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Joy

I must confess, I say things at times that I immediately want to retract as they are streaming from my mouth.

The world seems to move in slow motion and it’s as if I can see the words leaving my lips and slapping the recipient in the face.

“Nooooooooooooooo!”

Too late! It’s already out there. Whether I meant to say it or not, despite the wrongdoings that sparked my fiery tongue, words have landed and made an impression. Whether they take root or wither is accordingly to how the person process’. I am not responsible for the way my words are received. I am responsible for the delivery. Yikes!

Do you have any experience with this? I have been thinking about it quite a bit recently as it was brought to my attention that I had said something in a way that it was never intended. I apologized swiftly, analyzed it for several days, made a plan to keep it from happening again and moved on.

It wasn’t too long after that I found myself listening to a juicy bit of gossip. Before I even knew what was happening, I was participating. We women, especially, have to resist the temptation to disguise gossip as “Prayer requests” or concern in the form of, “Bless ‘er heart! Did you hear what happened to…”

What about phrases we say daily? Those weighty statements we don’t even consider? I knew you would want a few examples, so here they are…

“Are you really going to wear that?!”
“You’re ridiculous!”
“What’s you’re problem?!”
“Do your ears work?!”
“You’re crazy!”
“You’re driving me nuts!”
“That is the dumbest idea! It will never work!”
“You are always late.”
“That’s just the way you are. I’ve learned to work with it.”
“Have you ever come up with an original idea or do you always have to take credit for those you steal from others?”
“You don’t have a creative bone in your body!”
“You’re useless!”

Several of these may seem extreme while others are written off as sarcasm. What if we took 2 seconds to think about what we were going to say before we interjected it into someone’s day?

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” It’s a choice, is it not? Much like everything else that has a positive and negative side. Even if you’re not a bible-thumper, you can recognize truth when you see it.

Let’s have some fun! I have copied the negative statements above and replaced the words that wound.
~~“Are you really going to wear that?!”~~ “You looked so great in that black shirt you wore the other day! Why don’t you throw on some jeans and wedges with that top?”
~~“You’re ridiculous!”~~ “You are being so silly!”
~~“What’s you’re problem?!”~~ “Is everything okay? Is there anything I can do for you?”
~~“Do your ears work?!”~~ “Did you hear me?”
~~“You’re crazy!”~~ “You’re one of a kind!”
~~“You’re driving me nuts!”~~ “I need some quiet time for a few minutes.”
~~“That is the dumbest idea! It will never work!”~~ “I see where you’re coming from. Maybe we can look at it another way as well? Have you thought about this?”
~~“You are always late.”~~ “It’s tough getting to these early morning meetings, isn’t it? Maybe it would help to get up a few minutes earlier?”
~~“That’s just the way you are. I’ve learned to work with it.”~~ “What do you think about this approach? Sometimes it’s beneficial to try something new.”
~~“Have you ever come up with an original idea or do you always have to take credit for those you steal from others?”~~ “That is another great idea! How in the world did you come up with that?! Wow!”
~~“You don’t have a creative bone in your body!”~~ “You are so great at organization. Maybe you could share some of your secrets for keeping all of those files straight.”
~~“You’re useless!”~~ “Do you feel like your talents are being utilized in this current role? I want you to be in a position to thrive.”
(If you came up with better responses, stop laughing at mine and share yours in the comments section.)

So, here is my challenge to you and to me. For the next 7 days, before uttering a word to anyone, take 2 seconds to ask yourself, “Is it Kind?” “Is it True?” “Is it Helpful?” If the answer is not a resounding “YES!” to all of these, don’t say it.

Do you think you can do it? I hope I can!

(Images courtesy of google)