Joy Journey.

I always carry a journal with me to write down little truths that God puts right into my head; that’s how He and I talk, I think. When I look at my very favorite truths that He has given me during 2019 thus far, they all have the word JOY circled and underlined in big bold letters. I think that word is something I push and pull with often. I think that’s because the word JOY has been defined a million and a half times for us.

What does joy really look like? Is it the feeling after a race or a military family reunion or a newborn baby or an Olympic gold medalist? Is joy happiness or gladness or goodness or rightness? I think I had this idea in my head that joy was the choice to be constantly happy, to find the goodness in everything. Or, that joy was this grand feeling that came from some awesome accomplishment. I think joy can come from those things, but I don't think that's its sole definition. I still don’t have the exact definition of joy down pat, but I’m sure seeking it out.

In my journal this year, I have scribbled the words “bring JOY to every table and you’ll never be disappointed.” Sometimes bringing joy to every table means bringing joy into someone's mourning, a place where joy is scarce and often unwanted. Joy is saying, “Jesus cares about this situation, so how can I love you better?” Bringing JOY to every table means picking up your feet when you really (REALLY) want to drag them with resentment, like during messy conversations and hard situations. I truly think that when you fix your eyes on “what is” rather than “what could have been” you are choosing joy. When you celebrate little victories, you are absolutely choosing joy. The term “choosing joy” can quickly be confused with "choosing happiness." But choosing joy means bringing your very best self (whatever that may look like in that very moment) and looking fear and discomfort right between the eyes. 

Bringing joy to unwanted tables can sometimes feel like a guest who has overstayed their welcome: annoying and unpredictable. But I think when we bring joy to every table we are not saying, “your pain matters less” or “hurry your healing up” or “choose happiness.” Rather, we are calling out pain by name and digging into it head-on. 

words by Maddie Watson and photo by Arianna Taralson