Joy

​“You make known the me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy…” Psalm 16:11
 
     The Bible tells us Love casts out all fear. I can also testify how joy likewise conquerors fear for the joy of the Lord is our strength. A fruit of the Spirit, joy directly follows love. This makes sense for when our hearts are full of the love of God, then joy can easily follow.
 
     One afternoon and evening, I needed a desperate dosing of joy. Whispered prayers on the way to an evening event wordlessly formed over my lips. A few hours before we ran out the door, my proverbial inner lightbulb bulb burn out. I quoted Scripture and sang praises. I even stomped and renounced in Jesus’s Name. But I still struggled.
 
     I stood outside on a grassy field surrounded by families. Slowly, life began to stir. the cool night breeze, uplifting music, and laughter caused the embers in my heart to glow. Later, it strengthened as we curled around our evening devotions. But it wasn’t until family prayer time when the flame re-ignited.
 
     My little girl lay sandwiched between my husband and I. We cocooned around her and started praying. Things were silly at first. But soon we settled into seeking God. Yet funny references, silly jokes, and hilarity still peppered our prayers. Then, as I prayed, a humorous memory emerged. My mouth twitched and my cheekbones lifted high. I could not resist. And I did not…Into the prayer I voiced my thoughts. Out it tumbled.
 
     A few weeks ago, my exhausted husband fell asleep in mid-conversation. Coherent words followed one after another…until a string of nonsensical thoughts stumbled out of his mouth in a garbled jumble. So unexpected his lapse and so ridiculous the mumblings, Sweet Pea and I just stared. Our mouths gaped and our eyes rounded. Then in one simultaneous breath, we burst into laughter. Tears ran. Bellies shook and cramped. Shrieks and screams of laughter filled the space. Helplessly, we clutched our stomachs and hooted. We gasped for breath…then we’d convulse with laughter all over again.
 
     At first, my husband grinned sheepishly. But soon, his mirthful rumbles joined our hilarity. This moment of uncontrollable laughter came at a much-needed time in our family. It broke the chains and set us free. It flooded our hearts and filled our souls. It joined us as one through the shared joy of laughter.
 
     So, when I inserted this humorous reference into my prayer, Sweet Pea’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, the corners of her eyes crinkled and her nose scrunched. After a sidewise glance, we burst
 
Into belly shaking laughter. We lay there helpless and shaking until tears ran as they had a few weeks ago. Once more, my dear husband watched us—this time with an amused grin. But when we finished prayers, pure joy infiltrated ur very being. It transformed us and changed the very atmosphere of the room and the attitude of our hearts. No longer did the heaviness pervade. Instead, the light of the Holy Spirit spilled into us.
 
     Joy is transformational from the inside out. It is contagious and spreads like a glowing fire. It touches the deepest part of our souls. It extends to the very tips of our fingers and toes. It changes and renews us. It brings light, life, and abundance. It strengthens.
 
     I give you praise, oh God, for the joy You have set before me. You met with us with joy and laughter when I pleaded for Your Holy Spirit. May the gift of joy and laughter pour upon each person and family reading this. May His light burn brightly and strengthen you in your inner most places. Thank You for Your gift of joy, oh God.