Joy can be allusive. Joy can seem far from reach. Joy can appear to be a needle in a haystack. Joy can be sought after but never found. Joy can be grasped for but never achieved.
Do any of these statements resonate with you? They often do for me.
Today I chose to visit the library and enjoy some time reading and relaxing. I was not familiar with the library so after walking around for a bit I picked a random table in the back hoping for some peace and quiet.
Not even moments later though I heard something... people laughing and talking. Who is that? I wondered. Isn't a library suppose to be quiet?
My first reaction was frustration. Why are these people being noisy? I am trying to read. Then I realized who I was hearing. It was a group of special needs individuals around the corner from me. They were smiling and laughing and enjoying themselves. It was obviously so genuine that they couldn't hold it in. It was beautiful!
From that moment on my attitude changed. Instead of frustration, I felt blessed to have been led to the table. It seemed almost providential to have heard those happy voices because I need a reminder on joy.
I truly needed to be reminded that joy can be found anywhere.
As the giver of all joy, I believe that God desires us to find joy in the small things of life. He desires us to live a life of joy and not one of despair. So even though for me coming to the library was a small and seemingly unimportant outing, I was blessed to be reminded that joy was literally right around the corner.
I wasn't looking for it when I found joy today but I can guarantee that from now on I will be searching.
So, regardless of your circumstances or struggles today, where have you seen joy? Like it was for me, it may just be right around the corner. Don't miss out of seeing it!
