Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

Psalms 66:1

the sanctuary window- jesus in stained glass

JOY!

Does anyone else find it challenging to find joy in your everyday life?

I’ll admit that it is something I struggle with – once the alarm goes off in the morning, I am running a day long race, mentally checking things off my list from 7 am until 9 pm, hoping that nothing gets lost within that day’s chaos. Breakfast? Check! Bus stop? Check! Dishwasher running? Check! Clothes folded? Check! Homework done? Check! Brush Teeth? Check!

But, guess what consistently gets lost in the day?

A moment for a great belly laugh…a shared moment of giggling…JOY!

It is Holy Week, and after welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem, families and friends were gathering for Passover – the crowds were preparing for a festive holiday, and there was much joy and laughter throughout the city.

I wonder if Jesus, who already knew how his week would end, found any comfort in seeing the smiling faces and hearing children’s laughter in those crowds – I like to think that he did; in the same way when we are facing our own tribulations, God sends us a bit of joy through those first spring buds or a glorious sunset at the end of a tough day. Joy is a gift from God.

And, as for me, I’m going to add joy to my everyday checklist. Bad kid jokes book at dinner? Check! Tickling until someone cries uncle? Check! Laughing at myself? Check!

Sarah Vernon