Finding Joy!

The Lord has done great things for us, and we were filled with joy.”

Psalm 126:3

Over the past few years, I’ve been studying joy. I love the word joy! When you think of joy you think of happiness. Which is great because the definition of joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Isn’t that our goal in life? To be so full of joy and happiness that we just overflow.

I remember the first time I felt complete joy. I don’t remember how old I was, probably around seven or eight when my parents took my twin sister and I to go get a kite. The sun was shining and the wind was strong that day so we all knew we were going to have success getting it up in the air. After we bought the kite we went to Burger King where we got our lunch and headed to a middle school that had a huge open field. I remember the laughter shared running up and down the field trying to get the kite up in the air and just feeling so happy. What I don’t remember is if we actually got it flying, I just remember feeling so content in that moment with the people I love the most in life.

Another memory of joy that I have is just sitting on my parent’s kitchen counter. That is where when we were going through our teenage craziness we had the most meaningful conversations. That is life happened and lessons were learned. I love that kitchen counter and even though they have since remodeled it, we still gather there. Grayson now sits on my counter and I’m teaching him to cook and talk to him. I pray that our kitchen counter is a place of comfort for him as well.

When we are with the people we love most it brings out the best in us and that is where we find the most joy. Joy is not found in stuff. Joy is found with people. Joy is found in love. Joy is found in Jesus! He is the greatest joy and he gives it to us everywhere we look. We just have to open our eyes and see it. Joy is found in the small things, a cup of coffee, a donut, a great book, great conversations, watching our kids play. It’s everywhere! As Tara-Leigh Cobble says, we need to be joy detectives.

So this week leading up to Thanksgiving let’s all find a little joy everyday because those little joys will lead to full and happy hearts!

Always smile,

Michelle