After my post on lacking joy last week, a friend sent me a link to an article by Amanda Idleman. This excerpt is what struck me:
True joy surprises us, and it’s often hidden in the details of our circumstances.
Joy may be a well-timed joke ...
The flowers a friend delivers ...
The grace to be heard ...
An unexpected hug from a kiddo …
A friend that shows up with lunch ...
It’s true. Those small surprises, the simplest moments that make me smile or laugh, they are moments of joy. Even though there is still sorrow and loss below them, the bits of joy are real.
It has been clear to me from the beginning that I must respect this journey. I have been determined not to rush, not to ignore my feelings or my needs, not to mind that everyone doesn’t understand where I am. It’s okay.
I’ve been listening to the Bema Podcast by Marty Solomon. I love the explanation in episode 1 on how the Hebrew writers incorporated the chiasm in these stories, which are often poems. I won’t try to explain how a chiasm works other than to say it’s a beautiful form poem with a treasured concept buried right at the center. It’s a teaching tool that requires the listener/reader/student to dig a little to find it, and the discovery itself implants it more deeply in the heart than simply being told.
The treasure buried in the creation story is simply that God rested, that all that was made was good, and therein lies my value. That I can trust the story, that I have value, that I am loved. And when I can be still, when I can rest, I can be reminded that this is true. I am working to trust the story, even when it doesn’t look like a very good read.
There is a quote by Rilke that I return to fairly often.
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke
I still have lots of questions. I’m not afraid of them. Please don’t be afraid of them for me, sweet friends. Trust the story. Trust the journey.
In addition to my poetry prompt, “Today grief is…” I will try to add “Today joy is…” and we will see what happens.
Today grief is a desert storm all wind no rain Today joy is a cup of hot tea in a place I love.
Joy not to be confused with happiness(based on circumstances), is deeper and anchored on a foundation in Christ who offers love,peace,joy,counsel,comfort,to never leave us and go with us whatever our circumstances.
“The joy of the Lord is my strength!”
Selah(pause and calmly think of that)
Beautifully written and a balm to my own soul! Thank you for sharing your heart and your journey. This struck a chord with me today and underscored what the LORD had been revealing to me in my own walk with Him.
Selah