Joy

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement
Joy

The very word joy brings a sort of uplift to our spirits. To experience a burst of joy pulsing through our being brings a satisfaction that transforms us in a mysterious way. We can sometimes feel a surge of joy when we observe it in others. Maybe that’s why we enjoy weddings. Have you ever had the delight of watching a child taste ice cream for the first time?

You can vicariously feel the rush of joy when you watch a graduate receive a diploma. We grasp the joy of a teen hitting a ball over the fence for a home run. Beyond watching the gladness of others, experiencing joy for ourselves is a worthy goal.

In Nehemiah 8:1 We are told the joy of the Lord is our strength. Goodness knows, we need strength to combat the downsides of life. Do you remember the Sunday School song,” If you want joy, you must ask for it?” A simple prayer to ask for joy is a good place to start. Sometimes joy is a gift that arrives unexpectedly. Sometimes we can set the stage to receive it. Whenever we do something that helps another, we will feel a little joy bump into our heart. If we have sacrificed in some way to help another, the joy may be even stronger and warm our hearts for some time. Best of all, we can make a place in our heart where joy knows it’s welcome and resides there for us whenever we need it.

We make a place for joy when we align our hearts and minds to focus on the love of God. When we stand amazed at the love He has for us personally and the love He carries for His creation, joy takes hold.  Asking for revelation of His love will bring joy bells ringing in our heart, like another Sunday school song. “Joy, joy, joy in my heart is ringing. Joy, joy, joy sets my heart a-singing.” God. show us the path to joy.