Tuesday, November 24, 2009

My dearest God,

I've been learning that joy lives next door to faith which is next door to peace. Doubt, fear and despair live on another street.

I've been reading a book on joy. I don't think I have ever spent that much time reading or thinking about joy, that internal eruption of goodness, beauty, a sense that the world around me is at peace. I've found that joy is carried deep within. It is never far away and always wishes to be expressed particularly in the small moments of life.

Two days ago I heard my 4-year-old granddaughter Lucy cutting and stapling in the kitchen. I had no idea what she was doing. When she bolted into the living room, she ran to me, a smile spread wide across her face. She handed me an orange heart, two of them stapled together with three staples. "I love you." She told me. "I love you, Grandma. This is for you and Grandpa Harold."

I grabbed up that little girl and squeezed her real tight. I kissed her head as she beamed with joy. I held her as she queried me about life in general.

I never know when joy will burst into a room. I am never conscious of when joy will rise up in my soul. I don't have a clue when joy will make itself known. I just know joy is a breath away.

Joy comes
from you,
Most Gracious,
Loving Father.
Despair can
be held back
by joy;
for joy
guards the heart.
Joy is faith
trusting in you.

Love always, Andrea