I’m deliberately finding joy for forty days. To start from day one click here.
I walked along the streets in a nearby town. Music played, people enjoyed dinners on patios, and I held my husband’s hand.
We strolled past this alley and it stopped me in my tracks. I stared at it, captivated by the contrast between lush green on the left and hard brick on the right. I took a picture and we kept going.
This morning I remembered that photo because I feel like I’m in that alley lately.
It’s one of those seasons where I say, “On one side, I’ve got so many blessings growing in my life I can hardly keep track of them (lush green). On the other side, I’m struggling with discouragement and challenges (hard brick).”
Is anyone else in an alley today?
As I thought about this in the context of joy, my eyes drifted to the end of that alley. I’ve learned. I know what He says is true…
Joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
This alley won’t go on forever. In the meantime, I cling to what is good, right, true. I run my hands along the green and whisper fervent prayers. I am not alone here. You aren’t either. The One who knows how many hairs are on our heads and how many cares are in our hearts is with us.
Gently, and with grace, The One Who Loves Us will lead us back to joy.
Would you like to join me in the Joy challenge? Just share one thing that brings you joy or helps you through the “alley.” I’m having random giveaways for people who comment or subscribe during the forty days. And you never know when it could be you…
