Joy Remembered and Sought

The past two years working in ministry, there has been one question that often comes up. How can I be a strong enough presence in other peoples life's that they cannot help but question where my joy comes from? 

 

I guess you can say I heard this question in many different forms in my life. But it never really struck me until my good friend, Rylee, brought it up last year. Ever since then, it was mentioned occasionally when conversing with friends and it very often a question I like to ask people who I think may have an interesting answer. This question has also been in my prayer life on and off. Joy- the definition, what it is, and what it can do in people's life's amazes me. I wonder if I could actually formulate a response that does the answer justice. I wonder if I would be courageous enough to give the honest response which reflects my faith. And I am forever thankful for the examples of joy I have in my own life.

 

This summer I was reminded of joy everyday with every interaction I had with my Aunt Carol. I stayed with her in the family summer home. She has the personality and appearance of Rachel Ray, the determination of Jackie Robinson, and the heart of Mother Teresa.... and she just so happens to be MY aunt. Here we are together... And cousin Jake makes a cameo appearance.

 

 One night at the dinner table I asked her where does her joy came from. She did not answer my right away. Instead she got onto her phone to text her husband, who was not so lucky and was not vacationing with us on the Cape at the time, if he could find the wedding present my grandmother gave them years ago. At first I was so confused why that was necessary and also worried if I offended her by asking. She is a woman who usually loves to share her opinion and thoughts right away and she hesitated this time...

 

Carol continued to describe the present my grandmother gave them for the wedding. Pretty much it was a simple decoration for the home that reminds them how important it is to find JOY in the married life. It was kind of amazing how fast my aunt could make this connection between a gift that was given 21 years ago to a simple conversation over some wine and cheese. But to me, it was so much more. It was one more connection I have with my grandmother who I cannot remember but, who I feel like I intimately know even though it has been 19 years since her passing. 

 

Joy did not just become a characteristic I thought about or admired in my beautiful Aunt Carol. Joy became a connection to my grandmother. When I felt joy I thought of her. And when I CHOSE joy I felt as if I was doing an action to honor her.

 

This has all been a learning experience- a lesson in what joy is but, also about my relationship with my grandmother, and my own happiness. 

 

With the craziness of the second semester senior year, I have started to loose track of that. Luckily I noticed this change and decided I needed a daily reminder of why I do the things I do and who I am blessed to get to know along the way. So as a practical daily reminder that takes absolutely no work, I change the lock screen on my cell phone to this....

 

This happened maybe 3 days ago and today I had the chance to make some time and Skype my twin, my friend, my little sister, my love, Angela, who is studying abroad in Spain this semester. Being the corny girls we are, who are always looking for a good quote or motivational thought... I showed her my phone back ground.

She laughed as her typical silly self and then two seconds later she held up her phone. This is what I saw on my computer screen. 

 

 

It was like that Parent Trap magical moment when the twins both realize they like Oreos and peanut butter as a snack... BUT BETTER!

 

Being my good friend and a source of joy in my life, Angela, has heard my thoughts on the importance of joy and how it all started with the conversation with my Aunt about Grandma Flo. Of course this made my heart smile and I told the story again for her to hear. 

 

Today was a reminder of the significance my grandmother has on my heart and my actions. Today was a reminder of the glimpses of joy I see in inspiring people like Carol and Angela. And today was a reminder that God is who gives me my joy and my faith is a way to spread the joy. 

 

May the joy of Florence be forever remembered.

And may the joy of God be forever sought.