Joy

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds"
~ James 1:2

Today I was on the phone with the mother of one my hospice patients.  Because of COVID and her age, she cannot travel, and lives nearly 2,000 miles away.   She called me, and was so excited because her son had, "a good day," and was able to talk to her for almost five minutes.

As I sat and listened to her joy, I found myself filled with her happiness.  Even though she cannot be present with him, she talked about how, "today was such a gift."

There is something about how one moment of joy can overwhelm the sadness.  While her son is still declining and dying, for five minutes she knew joy, and it took over all the pain and sadness she had been feeling.  "Even if for one minute I know my son is happy, I can be happy all day," she shared.

This intimate experience in which every bit of her life was touched by happiness, she was reminded that joy extends beyond our existence.  

After I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but look forward to the day, with expectation, when our hearts will be filled with perfect joy.  A joy that no one, and nothing, will be taken from us.

May joy find its way to each of us.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2020