Joy

This morning I was thinking about joy. The joy of a new day, a new sunrise. The joy of a kind word and a smile  on a hard day from a stranger. The joy my heart feels at the words, “I love you Nana”. The joy of my garden in bloom and the joy of a summer rain. The joy of a lazy morning with my husband, holding hands and drinking coffee together. The joy of holiday decorations and the smell of baking. Oh these are some of my life’s beautiful moments that bring me joy.

But I was also thinking about how do I have joy when my heart is broken? Joy when the struggle and pressures are more than I can bear? Joy when pain burns deep inside my body? Joy when the losses of life seem so unfair? Joy when loneliness suffocates?

“Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”

    Let your face smile on us, Lord.

You have given me greater joy

    than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

    for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

Psalm 4:6-8

There are two types of joys in life; the kind that comes from pleasant circumstances and beautiful moments and the kind of joy that comes from trusting in the Lord. Both of these types of joy are wonderful but the joy that comes from a deeply-formed life of loving God, a life that is abiding and sowing His Word into our spirit, mind/soul, and body day by day, committing God’s truth in our hearts will become a real part of our lives. This kind of joy is steadfast, not a fake happiness, but genuine joy that is born out of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is  the “greater joy”. 

Yes, I was thinking about joy this morning and I was thinking about you as I am writing this piece. I’m not sure where today has found you. Chances are some of you are experiencing the beautiful moments of life and others are wrestling with the difficult questions, tragedy or the pain of dark times. Wherever today has found you, please know,  I have prayed for you today and you are not alone.  My friend you may not feel it, understand it, or even believe that you are so loved by God and Jesus is with you but it is true. My prayer for you today is:

• • • You will take comfort and find safety in Jesus. 
    • That your soul can choose to rejoice in the Lord. 
    • That you will cultivate that deeply formed life in God’s presence.
    • You know and sense your Heavenly Father’s love and protection over you. 
    • And that you will be filled with the greater joy.

Until next time as always this is from my heart to yours, 

DaNetta Fernandez