Joy

Joy is the transcendent happiness that comes from the little things as well as the big, from a positive outlook on living life; Joy doesn’t fade away because of stubbed toes and jammed fingers, but instead rejoices in the friends made through trials.

This weekend, Joy came to us in the aged and weathered body of a woman who has undoubtedly seen countless trials – and countless miracles as well. It was a chance encounter too. Curtis said hi to her because she had a huge bowl of ice cream that she had just gotten and he couldn’t believe that she was going to eat so much. Then she asked where we were sitting and joined us there.

Joy is somewhere close to 80 years old – a year or two more? No less. She’s been coming to Forrest Home since 1939 and helped build the lodges and the cabins and the ropes course. She has been a camper and a helper and made it to all of the college conferences from 1951 to around 1960. Her favorite song is How Great Thou Art. She sang it for us, this morning actually – what an amazing gift!!! There is something so ethereal and breathtaking when children sing, and something the same about the elderly. She still plays the piano with great strength.

I pray that when I come so close to the other end of my time here I will have as much independence as Joy, as much faith as she wraps around herself, and such a wonderful bunch of friends both young and old. I pray that I will happy in my old age and have a wonderful story to tell like hers. I pray also that when I am 80 I will be able to sit down and enjoy my bowl of ice cream right down to the last bite with the generations that will follow and be proud of the future that I see following behind me.

Praise God!!! And may we all find our portion of Joy and delight in the world around us J