Graceful Strings of Joy

 

Year 8-Day 250: Today, I am grateful for graceful strings of joy. 

"A joyful life is not a floodlight of joy. A joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude, inspiration and faith. -Brene Brown

I love the image of "Gracefully strung joy". It isn't always easy but it is always worth it. So much can weigh on our souls as we go through these troubled times on earth. We are only passing through, but we are here for a season. 

In this season of "life on earth", brief as it may be... it is good to chose joy in the smallest things. God's hand is everywhere.Can you see it? Can you feel it? I do. Let me draw a picture for you:

I see his thumbprint every time a new baby forms in the shelter of a mother's womb and grows.I feel his breath when a faithful soul gives up their last breath. The veil between life and death is real. These are holy moments... birth and death. 

I see his love of color in the changing leaves each fall. 

I smell the pumpkin pie being canned just a mile away and smile because many families will share in the feast come November and our little village is where much of that pumpkin is canned. 

I see a new marriage... or a new home and know that these moments are precious, too. Inviting Jesus to the table makes all the difference in having a house and making a home. 

I witness the kindness of strangers at the supermarket when a new widower is struggling to find simple items and I see His face in those who pause to help. 

I know that graceful strings of joy help us tie it all together into a joyful life. It isn't any one thing. It is the fruit of living a life that reflects the wondrous gifts we have been given in Christ. We are not perfect... but we follow one who is and hope to have His life reflected in our days. 

Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit. What are the Fruits of the Spirit? In case you have forgotten:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." -Galatians 5:22-23

Make the most of this day. Gather the moments that are somehow holy... even in the ordinary moments. Especially, in the ordinary moments. 

Today, I am grateful for graceful strings of joy.