Here are some definitions of JOY I found on the internet:
–noun
1.
the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.
2.
a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.
3.
the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
4.
a state of happiness or felicity.
–verb (used without object)
5.
to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.
–verb (used with object)
6.
Obsolete . to gladden.
Lately, I’ve been meditating on what JOY means to me, personally. Here are my thoughts….
When thinking of a middle name for our daughter, Carmelinda, we wanted something that would be short but have meaning. Her birth was such an amazing experience for us and we felt so much happiness in meeting her for the first time! I remember my eyes filled with tears when I saw her beautiful face and held her for the first time.
Since that day, we’ve longed for another child, but that hasn’t happened. It’s been a very hard journey to walk through. Through some tests, we’ve found out that Carmelinda’s birth was truly a miracle. So my heart is overwhelmed and over pouring with even more JOY! Carmelinda has brought DeLynn and I so much JOY in so many ways. Her personality is happy and energetic. She has so many gifts that we see coming out, like being able to express herself (the gift of communication), she loves to give others gifts, she loves to interact with children of all ages, her love for her animals, art, cooking, and best of all, her love for God. She loves to pray for others and loves to learn about God through her Odyssey CD’s and books. I see JOY written all over her life!
The day I got married, I also experienced so much JOY! JOY in knowing that God was giving me the gift of love. When walking down that long isle, I was so nervous, I could hardly look at DeLynn, but I also remember feeling overwhelmed with gratitude to God for answering my prayers in giving me a wonderful husband. I continue to experience JOY in being married to DeLynn.
But, I’ve also experienced JOY through some of the trials God has brought in my life. And I’ve experienced suffering so that I might experience true JOY.
I’ve learned the difference between happiness and JOY. Happiness comes to me depending on my circumstances but JOY is something I can experience no matter what my circumstances.
Infertility has brought a lot of tears, but JOY has come to me in the morning. I have JOY because I know God is in control and I don’t have to be afraid but instead trust him. Yes, that is easier said than done, so I’m learning how to do that one day at a time.
Deep sadness came to me when I lost my mom through cancer, but JOY comes to me when I know that because of God’s gift of eternal life, I will be with mom for eternity. I will see her again! I can’t wait for that day!
Steven Curtis Chapman has written a song that has ministered to me,
Out of these ashes
Beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of this darkness
New light will shine
And we’ll know the joy that’s coming in the morning
…from “Beauty Will Rise”
During this Christmas season I’ve been mediating on the fact that JOY is a gift that God gave to me. My heart is filled with gratitude to God when I meditate on the Son that was given to me!
“Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of the faith, who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Jesus was filled with JOY knowing that He was bringing us salvation! Freedom! Without His gift, I would have never been able to experience true JOY! I choose JOY in spite of the heartaches in my life. JOY gives my life meaning to keep going! Let us rejoice!
