JOY

Joy. It's different from happiness.

Happiness comes and goes according to our circumstances...and, let's face it: life can be tough, and it's sometimes difficult to find the "happy."

If you're in the trenches with rejection or loss or chemo or illness or surgery or therapy or sadness; if you're out of time, money, patience...or chances; if you have so many questions and not enough answers and the days are very, very long; if you're facing the unknown, or someone you love is...joy can be hard to find.

FIGHT FOR IT.

Joy comes from within. And, I believe...from God.

The book of Psalms tells us that God is our fortress, our rock, our shield, our deliverer. Because of what He did for us on the cross, and the ways He continues to protect, guide and watch over us, we can have joy no matter what is going on around us...even when we aren't "happy."

Look at Joshua's face in this picture. Sometimes...most of the time...I get the "fake" smile from him.

Not tuh-DAYYYYYYY!

Do you see it?

JOY.

God chose Joshua for us...or the other way around. I don't know.

But I'm so very grateful.

"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy..." Psalm 16:11