The many colors of Joy

I was sitting in Bible Study more than a week ago, guilty of letting my mind wander in and out of our discussion, as the little bird on my left shoulder who has memorized my to-do list squawked and screeched into my ear.   When the discussion wandered into the realm of Glory, and how we have been called to live so as to give an estimate of what God truly is through who we are and what we do, the little bird really started to make a ruckus.  But I perked up, took out my mental baseball bat, and whacked the bird over the head so I could focus and listen more closely to this interesting conversational thread.

And my first response:  How was I, who couldn't even manage to be on time to Bible study, going to give an estimate of who God is through my daily life?  The whole idea of doing so seemed not only beyond my understanding but well outside my reach.  

Fortunately, before I could ponder this impossibility even further, the discussion turned in another direction... toward how we express the joy inside of our own hearts to others. Joy was one form of "the estimate of God" that I could relate to, because undeserved as I am, I definitely have moments and sometimes even days, where joy takes root inside of me, and bursts forth in a myriad of ways.

Yet, as one of the women in my group soon pointed out and correctly so, we put a set of rather narrow expectations on ourselves of how joy should be expressed.  Surely, if we are joyful, we will be bouncy and exuberant... singing, dancing, or performing some other very dynamic expression of that inner joy (which simultaneously consumes a great deal of calories and keeps us fit and trim).

If that were true, though, the Biblical call to express our joy in our relationship with God would be confined to those who possess the uncommon talent of singing at a level that does not dismay or alienate others (as my own singing most certainly does) or who are extraverted enough to dance in front of others without turning multiple bright shades of red and tripping over their own feet (again, as my own dancing would do).

Thank goodness that God has a much broader vision for the many ways that joy can be expressed by the many unique children He has put on this earth.   As I look around me in my daily life, both within my church community and outside of it, I see such a range of expressions of Joy that I can leave any expectations that I must sing and dance my joy into the world well behind me.  Whew, what a relief!

To some of those who have shown me the many colors of joy in our world --

My husband Barry -- for a laugh so filled with warmth and joy that it stays in the room long after you have left it for another room or another place.

My friend Dawn -- for having such a joyful way of saying "Hi" when you pick up the phone that I feel like I am the most interesting and appealing person on planet Earth.

My friend Marilyn -- for tirelessly pouring joyful words of encouragement and affirmation in my direction even when I am doing my very best and prolonged imitation of Eeyore and 'woe is me.'

My friend Ken -- for giving me an endlessly patient and listening ear which offers its own unique and colorful joy.

My friend Kelley -- for suddenly sending forth humor at some of the most unexpected of times, releasing joy from laughter as if it were a jack in the box.

My friend Thad -- for repeatedly reminding me that joy can and will break through the walls of academia and university life.

And the list goes on... from those who laugh, dance, and sing to those who are quieter and more serious.   No matter what you think about your joy, please believe me when I say it escapes from you, unbidden.

I see it. I enjoy it. I thank you for it.