Joy

A reflection on joy- not situational happiness, but joy- the deep down assurance that even if others around me are experiencing problems, I am ok, I am safe, and I am allowed to have my own feelings that are not dictated by those around me. And I’ve come to realise that it’s only from this place of a personal sense of being ok, that I can truly help others.

This poem was written after a conversation with a friend after church one morning. I had helped to lead worship…I was tired. The contrast between finding joy in His presence, the joy of helping others worship, and the problems in my life was stark. I felt the need to be honest about the way I was feeling about the daily difficulties I face- the kind of ongoing problems that every so often seem just too hard…And she heard me. We prayed, and she shared some Bible verses about joy that she thought were for me. Even a week prior, I would not have been able to hear it, I would have thought it foolishness. Yet this day my spirit said ‘yes.’

It seems almost irresponsible

To be experiencing joy

When problems abound…

Yet there it is

I can’t deny it

And who knows

Maybe joy is the very thing

That is needed

“Your joy is not foolish- It is real”