Joy 
 
It is a feeling that overwhelms you,
bubbling out of you as your heart can no longer contain it,
dancing as David did.

Or

It is a feeling that envelopes you,
felt in those simple moments where you just know that you are filled with love,
satisfied in a way that the world around you disappears
and all that matters is God’s presence in your life.

Joy comes in many forms and can be expressed in many ways. Just recently, my parents came to visit. It is always such a blessing to see them, and I knew they would be here as soon as I returned home. At work, I was full of energy, even jumping up and down with joy knowing I would see them soon. I left work a little early, and raced (in a safe way of course) home, completely excited to embrace them and share with them the joy I had for our reunion. 

But there are other times when I don’t express my joy. I have really been thinking a lot about joy, the source of my joy, and the ways I try to contain it at times. But why? Why hide the joy my savior has filled me with? Why take that praise away from Him? Maybe I am not aware. Maybe I am unsure of what my reaction “should” be. Maybe I think about it too much rather than just letting the joy spill over in a free uncontrolled form or action.

Joy is beyond happiness, a deeper emotion that even in those times of struggle is present in my life. Today I sat in a room with seven co-workers, all of us blanketed by tissues as we spent hours identifying the grief we are each experiencing with the loss of our boss and friend. I have been holding on to so many emotions fogging up the joy that is within me. And it all came out. Okay, maybe not all of it, but I broke free from the restraints. I shared, I loved, and I expressed the emotions I had longed to share. I surrendered the pain to God to begin living again, to uncover the joy.  What joy? The joy found in God’s comforting hand where I felt safe to share. The joy of the love felt for a friend and the love that still exists, though he has died. The joy of rest found in the release of all I have been holding on to.   Oh how I long to break loose of the chains that hold me back, past the simple smiles and laughs to a greater expression of joy that can somewhat capture this immense love God fills me with, even in times of sorrow.

So I rejoice! I dance, for my savior is with me, holding me, loving me, and filling me with…joy!