Joy.
I see it, I'm aware of it, I hear it, I write it, I read it. It's kind of a buzz word. Joy, joy, joy. But what in the world is joy? And what's the deal? Why are we in this place seeking joy, looking for joy? And how, how on earth, does one find it?
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I don't have a ten step formula for finding joy. There is no book, no words, no papers, no nothing that can artificially create joy. Instead, what I've learned in my own life, is that joy is an opening of the heart. And that? That can be scary. We live in this guarded world of I'm fines and greats and okays and I don't cares and sures and whatevers and it is as it is type hearts. And that? It numbs our heart.
Slowly. Day after day. The heart becomes numb. Not caring. Not wanting to risk hurting, and in that guarding it shuts down joy. We can be happy, but happy is not joy. Happy comes and goes, but joy can stay.
Joy is a waking of the heart.
It's allowing one to live freely without masks. And slowly, slowly, as if peeling an onion away of I don't cares joy can be revealed. Then, and only then, will joy begin to seep into life. In fact, joy is the result of the posture of one's heart awake.
In a toddler's smile amid a room full of busy. The sunrise. The birds in the morning. The grass worn away under the swingset. The elderly gentlemen chatting loudly at Caribou while I work. The freedom to write. The feel of the leather chair on my arms. The coffee brewing at the hospital while my husband was undergoing surgery for cancer. An unexpected blessing in the midst of trials. A heart that hopes even in the midst of sadness. The teenager who just wants to talk. The smell of clean laundry. The ringlet of hair that curls on your toddlers head. Joy surpasses good days and bad days and medium days and ordinary days.
Joy can permeate a life.
If we 0pen our eyes, our hearts, and begin to notice the simple gratitude in the every day. It's of living awake, willing to feel, willing to risk, and willing to be real.
Joy can be found.
It's right there in the middle of the every day nitty-gritty messy packaged beautiful connected life.
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Want to read more about my thoughts on joy? Check out these previous posts humbled, yokes, and morning light.
10 comments:
These pictures fill me with joy!
Beautiful! Love how you personalized the quest for joy in daily life.
my little sister, whose name happens to be Joy, saw this post and read what she could over my shoulder, and she squealed whenever she saw her name. at the end, she said, "boy, this lady must really love me!" it was so cute. she's six.
-jocee <3
I absolutely LOVE this post, :) But then again, is there ever a post of yours that doesn't strike chords within me? :b
It can be just like Christmas every day. . . even when it doesn't seem possible!
Thanks for this post! Love the pictures!
GREAT post! Amen - Such a great reminder!! xoxo
I needed this reminder today...great, thought provoking post my friend!
Was hoping that little face would be in there somewhere!
Know that you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers! Look to the Lord for all things!
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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Great post! I followed your link from twitter (pc2540). Thanks for the reminder to slow down and think about why I say what I say...to take in what I see, and ultimately, to risk having joy. We are all so quick to shut people out and you're right, that's the very moment we shut out joy.
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