On my walk today, I saw quite a few houses with Halloween decorations still up which wasn’t really a surprise. I’m sure they’ll come down pretty soon. However, as I rounded a corner, I was struck at seeing a new house decoration (that wasn’t there yesterday). I was moved not because it was a Christmas decoration out already but because of its message. Large, simple, and to the point – JOY. Inside the ‘O’ is a silhouette of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in what we would view as a typical nativity scene. Though that is indeed a joyful moment, and the birth of Christ is our gift of joy, what got my attention was the word itself. In that initial moment, I felt it was meant for me. Maybe it was a message, maybe it was a reminder, maybe it was a promise. Maybe it was all three – as I continued my walk and reflected on seeing ‘JOY’ in this random front yard, that’s exactly what I came to understand.
It’s easy to see, feel, and experience joy when, well, things are joyful. When family, friends, work, health, and the future seem to be going well. When worries seem small. When smiling comes easily, just because. Those times are true gifts and worthy of the joy they bring us. But as we know, it is not always like that. Joy is not always so obvious and abundant, and if we are distracted by and/or focused on what’s wrong instead of what’s right, we could miss the gifts of joy right in front of us. They may be small, they may be subtle, and they may be surprising, but they are there. Sometimes we may need the Lord’s help to see and feel the joys in our lives, and that’s okay. He wants to show us, and we need to prayerfully ask that of Him. As brothers and sisters in Christ, as children of God, we are meant for joy even when it feels out of reach.
Years ago, a dear friend shared the psalm she prayed during a difficult family situation. I’ve remembered it and its hopefulness: Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) I’m strengthened by her example of trust that the Lord’s joy will come to her. The joy we encounter, whether in obvious or in quiet ways, is a message that God’s joy is for us. It is a reminder that the Lord wants us to live the joy of a friendship with Him. And it is the promise that our hearts will be made full by the joy only He can provide. Let us ask the Lord to help us not miss the joys around us, praying for the continued grace to find joy along the way.
Journeying to Grace 