Tuesday @ Ten: I Find Joy In…

Cue music: Julie Andrews sitting on the bed with the Van Trapp family kids…thunder claps can be heard outside. To ease their fears of the storm, she begins to sing, “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” (written by Oscar Hammerstein)

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When I saw this week’s prompt for Tuesday at Ten, this song and iconic movie image were the first things I thought of in my mind. I find joy in so many of life’s tiny little often-overlooked things. Mine are more moments rather than things, but here is my attempt at personalizing and rewording this iconic song. Be sure and sing along.

Sleeping in tipis and cool summer mornings

Summer rainstorms that appear without warning

Homemade snowflakes by my grandson of five

These are a few things that keep me alive

 

Tiny rose buds with sparkling dew drops

Family moments that just will not stop 

Time to reflect and pray, write and share

These are the things you can’t buy anywhere

 

Scripture tells that us that in the life of a Christian, joy should prevail despite our circumstances, struggles or situations. I recognize (and have personally experienced) that there are times (or seasons) in our life that joy seems to be just so far away…like a wisp of smoke floating away in the wind. We see it, but struggle to grasp it or apply it to our lives. For many of us when we travel through a difficult time, we feel that we’ve failed in our “walk” if we can’t “shake it off and be joyful.” In my personal experience, I feel that we all need time to mourn or weep; it’s OK, as long as we keep focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. As long as we continue to seek the joy, it will return in the morning. How long does that take? How many mornings do we have to wait? For each of us it is different, but it is a journey not an instant fix.

I love the process outlined and the overall message found in Psalm 30. Here we find all the emotions of a deep struggle as penned by David, but also the promise and assurance that joy will return.

Psalm 30 English Standard Version (ESV)
1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O Lord,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
8 To you, O Lord, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

David bears his heart, soul and emotion for us in this passage. He cries for help! He is dismayed! He called for mercy! Those are some deep and heavy feelings – definitely not joy. But he also outlines some key points that I feel are the way to turn our despair back into joy.

• Extolling the Lord – which means to praise enthusiastically (vs 1)
• Crying out to the Lord – seeking healing through in prayer (vs 2)
• Sing praises (vs 4)
• Give thanks (vs 4)
• Standing steadfast – staying the course – not wavering in the faith (vs 6)
• Seeking a new day – seeking a new morning – seeking a new joy (vs 11 & 12)

I especially love verses 11 & 12!

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

It’s not about us fixing it all. It’s not about us finding the joy again. It’s about us giving all our miseries and despair up to Him – Our Heavenly Father – and:

1. He turns our mourning into dancing
2. He takes away our sorrow and refills our life with joy

And then we:

1. Sing His praises – we can’t stay silent
2. Give thanks to Him forever!

My prayer for you on this hot summer day, is that you will call out to God in whatever struggle you are facing…seek Him and He will turn your sorrow into joy. Tomorrow when you get out of bed. Put on some praise music….and turn your mourning (morning) into a dance of joy!