What if it’s Friday, the 13th? What if something’s gone awry? What if life’s not actually “happy?”
We can still have joy!
Have you ever had a really bad day? I’m not talking about the weather, or regular circumstances. I’m talking about the pain of losing a loved one. Or surgery. Or severe pain. Or needing money. Or pain a loved one is having. THAT kind of bad day. Did you know you can still have joy? I remember when my mom was in the hospital, having yet another life-threatening surgery, this time-the doctor didn’t think she would make it. I glanced up. Out of the hospital waiting window was a rainbow. I could have seen dark clouds, or rain, or the storm of depression that day. In that waiting room the song “I will praise you in this storm” came to mind, instead. Example after example of times when He had carried me through, came to mind. My heart was full in what could have been a very sad, desperate time. I wasn’t happy…there probably wasn’t a smile on my face…but there was joy. It was a beautiful reminder for me, that we can always have joy. It may be “deep, deep, down in our heart” like the song we sang as kids years ago-but He gives joy. That memory-and that joy-came into play not long after.
Then, there are the almost overwhelming feelings of…well…joy, when you feel the crisp air, smell the scents of fall, and see an amazing array of colorful leaves in the mountains. Thankfulness. Joy. Maybe you see your child sleeping peacefully, the curl of his or her hair around the face…the peace of calm after a long day, and love enfolds you. Joy. Perhaps you see the face of a loved one or friend you’ve been anticipating come into view. That feeling of gratitude that wells up inside you? Joy. There are so many times, and ways to explain it, but just know…it’s there. No one or no thing can take it away from you.
Are you happy today? Better yet-
Are you joyful today?
#RICH #TheRichWay #JOY