A Fullness of Joy

Writing is my deep passion, but it is also personally challenging. As a solitary activity, it is also a lonely one since I love being around people. There is something about having a companion that makes what you enjoy just that much more pleasant. That’s one reason why I love my writer’s critique group. They take a very lonely experience and turn it into moments shared with people who care deeply about me improving my craft.

What do you enjoy? How about a day at the beach or a hike in the mountains? Do you want to multiply your joy? Spend that day with someone you love.

As a young girl, my family spent a summer in Scottsdale. I enjoyed so many things about Scottsdale – the pool, the cactus, the horsebackriding, the shopping, the hiking. A highlight was reconnecting with my dad. He worked odd hours at his job, but despite not being readily available, he was always compassionate enough to sit down and listen, truly listen to us. My dad was never the loud police voice in my head, but a gentle pastor at my side. Because of this, being with him for an extended period of time, like a vacation, was a treat; I drunk in his presence.

Isn’t life the same way?  Don’t we always want to drink in the presence of our Father?

Enjoying life with a close friend brings great enjoyment; having Jesus walk beside you brings a fullness of joy.  Having a cooling wind across your face on a warm summer’s night brings enjoyment; having the refreshing wind of the Holy Spirit move upon your heart beings a fullness of joy.  Walking though a beautiful flower garden brings enjoyment; walking through the flower garden with the creator of those flowers brings a fullness of joy.

God says to us, “I want you to enjoy what I give you, your friends, the warm summer wind, the flowers in the garden. But these are things from Me.  They are not Me.  Even more than enjoying what I give you, I want you to have Me.  It is with Me, in Me and from Me along that you will know the fullness of joy I want to have.”

James 4:8 states, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Believe that God will always, always meet you. In everything, through everything, in spite of anything. So keep on going. You are loved more than you know, liked more than you can imagine, stronger than you ever dreamed.

That’s what I wish for you, all my friends, this week…to know the amazing presence of God is always there for you. Knowing the God will always meet you, give love. Live larger, but love even larger.

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV

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