Finding Joy

A dear friend of mine has these beautiful, brass, 15" high letters hung on her great room wall: J O Y

Every time I'm at her home, I stare up at them and think about joy. There have been some times when I've looked at those letters while feeling numb inside...going through a season of heartache or depression. But those beautiful letters give me pause, as I reflect on joy, and the statement "Men are that they might have joy", and about the moments in my life that I have felt that elusive emotion.

Joy is different than enjoyment, different than fun, different than amusement and being entertained. I'd even submit that it's different than happiness. It's a richer, deeper, more significant feeling than any of those.

Nearly every moment of bonafide joy in my life has been connected to Doc, Bunch and Gator. They are the source of most of my joy. There have also been a few select moments in my life not connected to them that have been joyous, when I've been filled to overflowing (with joy, and wonder, and awe, and gratitude) because of the amazing friends I am blessed to have in my life. And finally, there have been a few moments when my joy was filled to overflowing directly from God; when I have felt His love and care for me personally, and known that I am known by Him. Those experiences have been profound, and carried me through years at a stretch.

For many people in this world, the ability to feel joy, or even just happiness on a regular basis, is a struggle. Difficult life circumstances, troubling experiences, challenges that seem insurmountable, and even a few brain chemicals or hormones...these can all make it difficult.

But the good news is there is help and hope for all these situations. And if we are willing to accept that help (which can require a dose of humility and a lot of trust), we can move through the seasons of life with faith, grace, and even a glimmer of hope for a brighter world. I'll be writing about this in the near future...

I'm in a happy place inside right now, for which I am grateful. But I am learning that change is constant, and won't be so surprised when things "dip" in the future. For most of my life I believed in the fairy tales of childhood; bought into the fable that if I just did "X, Y, & Z I'd live happily ever after".

Now I know that while there will be many moments when we are surprised by joy in our lives, they are icing on the cake of adversity. And they are all the sweeter for following the pain of growing through change and enduring well the trials we are dealt.

Life is the perfect laboratory for teaching us all the things we need to learn to become who we can become. And someday, (but not in this life), if we do our best, we WILL have a fullness of joy evermore. I have faith in that.