Finding Joy
I woke up with a kids’ song in my head – I’ve Got the Joy of the Lord! I told Ronald the more I sang it as I got breakfast ready, the closer to gettin’ the vic’try I got! The Lord blessed us with great reason to rejoice this week!
Because Missy’s kitchen is being remodeled, Missy and her two kids were able to spend the week with us while Daddy stayed home to oversee the construction. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes is so refreshing. Hearing their laughter made me break out into my own giggles.
As we traipsed through Callaway Gardens, Dylan found delight in each insect, rock, or stick he picked up. Each one held a tale known only to him. I loved his exploring attitude. You could almost see his mind processing everything around him.
Our one-year-old social butterfly charmed everyone who saw her as she made eye contact with and smiled at each person. To her little loving heart, each person was someone special. Even at her young age, Josie was thrilled with her Easter hat. How she realized her outfit was new is a wonder to me. I would wonder how she knew she was cute but when the child gets oohs and aahs with every move, of course she knows she’s a princess!
As we wandered through the butterfly garden, their little minds absorbed the wonders around them. I will try to hold the memories of their enraptured expressions in my heart forever. True joy!
But the joy I spoke of earlier in I’ve Got the Joy of the Lord stems from a different source. That joy is a deep down contentment that comes from knowing that Jesus, the Lord of creation, came from heaven to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice to reconcile us to God. It is the joy of living with the Presence of God in us. As we live in Christ, whatever we do is Coram Deo – living in His Presence and for His glory.
How neat is that?
I pray that this Easter you will find great joy in knowing God loves you. If you don’t know it, I pray you will find the joy that comes from surrendering your life to Jesus. You will find joy and peace in His Presence.
Here are a few verses to ponder.
Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. NLT
In Psalm 16, the poet says his heart is glad and he has hope because of God’s eternal care. “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Happy Easter.
Be blessed.
Maranatha!
KB
