This old Christmas decoration sits on my fireplace right now.
Earlier this week, it was covered up by baskets of unfolded laundry and a bag of stuff for goodwill. But, in anticipation of the Easter bunny, I moved all that aside. Moving things also uncovered the decoration. As the Easter baskets have come and gone… all that remains is that simple decoration. Three metal letters that stare at me now as I sit in the silence of an early morning house.
J-O-Y
It has been 5 weeks today since I’ve been home. I had actually lost track for awhile, so that number seems so big to take in all of a sudden. 5 weeks. The last time I spent this much time in my house was when the twins were born and I was also trying to protect their small bodies from viruses.
There are so many people I know hurting for a variety of reasons. And I can imagine that as we head further into the week after Easter, it can be hard to grab onto that joy we all might have glimpsed on Sunday when the stone was rolled away and Jesus was here again.
But it is still there – even if it’s hiding behind a pile of laundry and discarded candy wrappers. So when you catch a glimpse of it today – don’t let it pass you by. Joy is not meant to be a crumb.
“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate.
Give in to it.
There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be.
We are not wise, and not very often kind.
And much can never be redeemed.
Still life has some possibility left.
Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happened better than all the riches or power in the world.
It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins.
Anyway, that’s often the case.
Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty.
Joy is not made to be a crumb.”
-Mary Oliver
Where in all the muck of life can you find joy today?
And when you do – Don’t hesitate.
Let it fill you up.
