The Joy of the Lord

Dearest Friend,

You taught us the joy of the Lord, though it never kept you from sorrow, anger, or pain. You showed us that joy runs deeper than any of these — a truth we struggle to trust when we’re in the thick of them. Sorrow, anger, and pain make us afraid. They intimidate us. They stretch us to the point where we feel out of control.

You taught us that joy is the ground of our connection with the One who seeks not control but participation. You taught us that God longs to be part of every moment of every day, so that we can relax into the world as it is, discover how it works, learn how to welcome others into our lives, and even enjoy our days.

You taught us that a daily conversation with God — simply talking with God daily — can permeate our thoughts, our reactions, our very souls, until we find ourselves growing calm in the face of what we do not yet understand. You taught us that joy is born of knowing that death does not win, that forgiveness is real, and that love can be offered to anyone.

As we enter these last days of Lent, teach us again that you have already walked us into the way, the truth, and the life of the joy of the Lord, I pray. Amen