Joy: Taste and See and Be

“No amount of regret changes the past. No amount of anxiety changes the future. Any amount of grateful joy changes the present.”

Ann Voskamp

This was such a timely reminder to practice gratitude for the small joys today and every day. Children are so good at this, at finding joy in the journey!

Somehow along the way, though, we grow up and almost forget how to simply BE—with all of our senses engaged, not continually thinking ahead to the next thing or the next hour or the next weekend.

In all of our planning and striving and focusing on the destination, we sometimes miss the journey and the lesson, and we risk missing the Message all together.

There is JOY to be found in slowing down, breathing in and breathing out,

… in marveling at our own heartbeat and the freckles on our children’s noses,

… in feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin and the relief of a crisp breeze,

… in running through a sprinkler with our kids and delighting in their laughter,

… in watching for the flicker of fireflies at dusk,

… in being present, abiding in our Creator among what He has created, with gratitude in our hearts for what He has done and who He is and who we are in Him.

“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to him.”

Psalm 34:8 MSG

The NLT says, “Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”

Thomas Binney wrote, “There are some things, especially in the depths of the religious life, which can only be understood by being experienced, and which even then are incapable of being adequately embodied in words. ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good.’ The enjoyment must come before the illumination; or rather the enjoyment is the illumination.”

There is joy to be found in experiencing God’s presence for ourselves, in trusting Him with the details of our lives.

There is joy to be found in obedience to Him and in doing honest work and living an honest life—all for His glory.

There is joy with us and within us and all around us, as He is with us and within us and all around us in every good thing, though we may be tempted to think otherwise in light of what humanity and self-righteousness has made of this world.

Don’t be mislead!

When “joy” is tied to circumstances and possessions and imperfect people, it disappoints and withers away.

When our joy is tied to the eternal joy-Giver, it endures and shows up and shows out.

“Do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is your strength and your stronghold.”

Nehemiah 8:10‬

Soaking up the details of His Word and presence, of His love and faithfulness arms us with a hopeful Joy that guides us through devastation and pain and loss.

So, today—a fairly easygoing, good, memory-making day—I rejoice for the sunshine and soft grass,

… for two sweet little sous-chefs,

… for the brilliant hue of our hydrangeas,

… for a husband who runs through sprinklers with our boys,

… for grins and giggles and “I love you so much, Mommy,”

… for my own mother’s godly example,

… for His reminders to breathe and stay calm when chaos breaks out,

… for clean drinking water and headache medicine,

… for ALL the LEGOs and Hot Wheels and busy hands,

… for washed and dried and folded laundry,

… for texts and calls from family and friends,

… for ripe veggies in the garden,

… for my children’s unique and humbling perspective on life,

… for the Lord’s hand in it all,

… for His salvation and constant provision,

… for His leading me through past tangled messes and hurt to a new day.

Joy upon joy upon joy.

Feature photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash