by Joanne Wiklund
Joy is defined as a noun by a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. As a verb it has no object, is a literary term and comes from Middle English. Originally from Old French word gaudium, from gaudere meaning rejoice. We already have Joy in our hearts, so we can re-joice when we need to. Some people just overflow with it on a regular basis. They light up the lives of the rest of us.
Joy can be simple. I bought a very heavy footed cut water glass at a yard sale years ago for a quarter. I still have it. It’s tall, substantial, but looks so frail. I taught our own children and then my oldest grandson when he was about four years old to feel comfortable lifting and drinking from a glass with a stem using that glass. We had treats with the glass and lit candles in a double cut glass candelabra. So much fun. Especially with the kitchen light out. I continued the fun with his siblings.
The first time I gave it to Number One Grandson full of water at a family dinner, his parents were appalled and chastised me for giving him the glass. My joy was full when he lifted the glass from where I’d set it and used it through the entire meal with refills, and didn’t spill a drop or drop the glass. He’s out of college now, and I have wondered if when he dines and uses stemware if he ever thinks of our little joyful parties.
Look For The Joy. You’ll be amazed when you think about all the ways it’s there to be discovered. With gratitude to our Creator, think of all the Little Victories we encounter every day and don’t remember to say thank you.
Psalm 30:5, 11. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning…Thou hath turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.”
Psalm 32:11 “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”
Psalm 35:9 “MY soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in His salvation.”