JOY and where to find it

Sometimes no matter what I do, I cannot find any JOY in my life.  Do you know what I mean? We were recently vacationing in Florida and it happened to be my birthday.   The sun was shining and temperatures were around 90.  Nothing like the weather back home in NC.  Needless to say, the warmth of the sun against our pale skin was a welcomed change.   You would think that joy would not be so elusive.  Even still, I found myself wanting more.

On the day of my birthday, we decided to leave the busy-ness of our white sandy beach for a little less traveled piece of sand.  So we loaded up early that morning heading  for something ‘better’.  I guess everyone else had the same idea because 2 hours later, we still had not reached our destination which was only about 10 miles from our hotel.  We finally made it to the “better’ beach only to find that the parking areas were full and we had to cycle through those lines just to determine that.  All the while,  the day was slipping away just like my excitement.

My hubby and son noticed this descent in my attitude and tried to cheer me up.  I was set on pouting about our miserable circumstances.  About that time this older fella, looked about 80, in bright yellow running shorts and a matching tank, was jogging by us holding a sign.  I immediately noticed his big smile on his tanned face and he shook his sign directly at me.  It had three little letters on it.  J-O-Y.  Instantly, my son said, “Mom, did you see that guy?”  Well, I had but I really didn’t want to admit it.  “Mom, did you see that man’s sign?”, he said again with intensity.  “That was for you.  That was God reminding you.”  Oh my gosh, with tears in my eyes, I realized how ungrateful I had been.  So what, my birthday didn’t go as planned.  We were in Florida for gosh sakes.  Together.  And the sun was still shining.

We whipped the car over on the side of the road, because on this particular stretch of causeway, there are white beaches on both sides.  We popped the hatch, grabbed our chairs and snagged your own little piece of paradise right there on the side of the road.   On the way in, we had passed it up.  Not we, I.  I passed it up going for better.  On the way out from the island, that little piece of beach was the grandest sand my toes had ever touched.  Maybe it’s the search for ‘better’ that landed me in my funk.  But I’m ever grateful for the sign-holding jogger, flashing JOY in my face, reminding me that sometimes we can just be joy.  That man was joy for me.  And he reminded me that joy is here, I only need to choose it.

If you are having a hard time finding any joy today, then I would encourage you to pause and begin listing all the things you have to be thankful for.  Make a list, write it down.  The trees, your ink pen, paper to write on, your eyes, the guy that brings you the mail, your job, your mom, the kind driver that let you over in traffic.  Thank God for these little things and maybe, just maybe, you happen upon a little joy along the way.

Romans 15:13 (NIV) 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

And may that same God send a  jogger with a sign to remind you,

if that is what it takes.  

In Jesus name, Amen! -M