There is no shame in feeling joy.
It is not an expression of a heart that is superficial, prejudiced or simple. It is not an indication that you are incapable of seeing, feeling, being a part of the world around you and the tragedies that exist. You’re not showing a lack of compassion. A lack of concern. A lack of empathy.
You need not place your joy under a basket.
Apologies are not required.
Quite the opposite! Revel in your joy. Stand firmly upon those feelings of joy.
At the very beginning of 2014, I wrote the following: “Farewell, 2013. I may look back on you fondly one day — but I seriously doubt it. You were harsh. You were the kind of challenging that doesn’t encourage growth. You were, well – exasperating. And no, you aren’t a ‘who’ or even a ‘what’. But I will continue to use your name in vain for a bit longer. Then I will move on.”
The adversity of that year is still raw in my heart. I can look back on it and remember clearly the emotions, struggles, and exhaustion of that time. I also see the wonders that were tucked within that year. The amazing opportunities for my little family that were birthed in that troubled time – and continue to grow during this new year of abundance. I see the paths that were laid out before us. I see the wisdom gained. And the cherished moments remembered.
Interestingly – I can now see the answer to that frequently implied question: “I don’t know how you do it.” I was asked this seemingly daily throughout 2013. “How do you do it?” I didn’t know the answer at the time. I just knew that each day started. Each day had good and bad. Each day brought opportunity and growth and beauty. Each day.
How did/do I do it? With joy. And joy is the Holy Spirit – God’s gift of thought beyond your own. God’s peace in a world at odds. It is your connection back to sanity. It is your strength against odds. It is the love that keeps you upright, gentle and full of grace. God’s grace, in me, through my choice to believe.
I chose joy.
And I try to share it!
Share Joy.
I love this bible verse. The portion that I love is often overlooked as our minds are drawn to the very end of the verse which reads: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Of course that phrase is wonderful – and the meat of the thought. But read this first part. See how it speaks to who we really are as plain old humans?
Not that I lack in regard to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:11-13
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