Snippets of Joy In A Chaotic World
Posted: Wednesday, February 20, 2008
by Laura Trahan
It recently occurred to me that as a Christian, I am supposed to be showing joy. How bizarre is that?
A Christian showing joy? It says so right in scripture. Completely blew my mind away with the new revelation! I have seen a ton of Christians and no, haven't seen the joy.
While the above two paragraphs are somewhat said sarcastically and in jest, it has occurred to me personally that the joy of Christ has been missing from my life. God has really impressed on me that if I have faith in Him, then life should be joyful. I know what you are thinking-who has time for joy? That was my first question. Among the endless distractions and circumstantial disasters (so they seem at the moment), I find it hard to exhibit joy.
I decided to go on a mission. A mission of seeing God's joy in others during my day. Yes, most Christians don't show joy. But I also know you can find God's joy in everyday events and even in non-Christians.
I started my day happily enough with thoughts of spending a birthday gift card shopping. Who can't help but show joy when shopping. Well, actually, I can not show it when I have a three-year-old who I spend the time chasing and finish off the trip with bribery (but that is a whole other story). I was determined to experience and find joy so I set out. Here are some snippets of joy I found that day:
- Normally while shopping I would spend the time in fear and stress as I tried to keep my little one at my side. Instead, I couldn't help to laugh as we ran through the women's section. I lost her one time only to hear a whole clothing rack squeaking as it moved back and forth. I ran over and there my angel was underneath all the clothes standing on the rack. Three hours later we were out. So what if I was only able to buy one shirt during that time. Hearing my daughter laugh and play brought new joy.
- While in the store, I saw an older senior woman, most likely in her 70's. The woman was belting out the tune over the radio. I had never heard the song and most likely she was hard of hearing explaining her singing super loud. There was just something about hearing her so excited over a song. Joy was evident in her.
- I was driving home and had to wait as cars filed out of a local church. The church had just had a funeral and the cars were being escorted to the graveside service. Funerals are not normally a time that one thinks of joy. But as one car passed and I saw the couple talking, no doubt probably reminiscing of the one who had just passed, I saw joy.
- In front of me was a school bus. As the driver passed another bus, the two drivers began to wave eagerly to one another. Joy of friendship among co-workers were evident.
Thanks for letting me share! I would love to hear snippets of joy that you are experiencing, please leave them in the comments.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)hi laura, even in the most Hellacious years of my life, i have found joy in the sound of my 20 year old son's voice on the answering machine, just wanting to say hi, or receiving an e mail from my daughter, or knowing that the friends i have chosen will do anything for me, and i would do anything for them in return. last night, we had a fire in our furnace. within seconds of finding it, and my partner putting it out with a heavy duty fire extinguisher, i had to feel joy that our home didn't go up in flames,or if we hadn't been home, and had to come home to that. i love seeing a cardinal, bright red against the pure white snow. i marvel at the fact that my 2 year old maltipoo understands everything i say, and listens to me. when he comes over to my computer to moan to go out, and looks up at me with the cutest little face, i find joy. when i see my seventeen year old, and wonder how my baby grew so tall and so fast, i find joy. let the year be Hellacious, there is still life, love, and joy, we just have to allow it in. thanks for a great article, best regards, sueSue-thanks so much for your response! All of those are excellent examples of joy! I just read the best Psalm saying that children are a reward from God and offer so much for parents. I am so thankful that you all were safe and the fire did not damage your house! You mentioning the cardinal brought back so many memories. My great-grandmother loved cardinals and had them all over her house. Everytime I see one I, too, experience such joy remembering her smile and love. Thanks for always taking the time to share your life experience! It was a joy to read your comment!-Laura
Hi Laura, How true this is! Sometimes we let the cars of this world dictate our focus! What brings me back to joy is what Paul says - the trails and tribulations of this world are not even worthy to be compared with what the Lord has in store for those who love Him! O' yeah!!!! I lvoe the song: There is joy in the Lord, there is love in His Spirit, there is hope in the knowledge of Him - there's a fountain that flows, like a river from heaven, abounding in love to my soul! All blessing and honor are His - let all wisdom and strength be the Lords in this place -let all Glory be given to Him!!! Go out with joy and be led forth with peace! Blessings to you, TeresaThanks for such wonderful affirmations!
You know, I couldn't help but offering this little 'snippet' of my own to your lovely sharing in this article. I have a mantra...and it also happens to be the name of my website as well as a couple of businesses I run. That mantra is: Joy is a CHOICE. In my years of studying the bible, along with other philosophical tomes, the one thing that is, to me, quite evident, is that God has not only asked us to celebrate life, but also encourages us to share it every day in every way. God gave us a CHOICE, in so many ways. And it's up to us to choose what we'll not only look for, but share every day. And here's the cool part: when we set our mind to FINDING joy as we travel through our day, we WILL see it all around us. And when we set our minds to seeing only our 'trials and tribulations', again, that is we we will find. So, joy truly IS a choice! What do you choose?Thanks so much for sharing!
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