What are you passionate about? What stirs your soul? What gives you joy...not just happiness, but joy? "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have JOY." (2 Nephi 2:25). JOY is part of God's plan for each of us.
JOY is...
TIME with my little FAMILY taking in the EARTH'S BEAUTY. It's evening. The sun casts warm orange light signaling the day's end. There is white sand, blue water, a slight breeze. My baby is in my arms. My two oldest children are diving in the chilly ocean (because it is Spring) and my brave, selfless, handsome husband is with them despite the temperature. I stand back and soak it in. I feel JOY.
JOY is...
MUSIC. I'm 15. My voice is one among others singing, "Come thou fount of every blessing Tune my heart to sing thy grace Streams of mercy never ceasing Call for songs of loudest praise...... Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above" My throat is tight with emotion, my eyes wet at the power of the words. I feel warm, passionate, moved. I feel God's love. I feel JOY.
JOY is...
A deep friendship. An answered prayer. Spring. Kindness from a stranger. The miracle of birth. Answering to "Momma".
JOY is...
When I lay in my husband's arms for hours talking with him about everything. Cuddling with my children at night. Watching the pure delight my children experience when with cousins and grandparents. Seeing the love my siblings and my husband's siblings show for my children. Soaking in every moment with my mother when she came to the Midwest after the birth of my third. It's amazing how my heart needs Mom while I adjust to being a mom myself.
And the best part of all is that these JOYFUL relationships will last for ETERNITY. Families can be together forever because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. That is true JOY.
5 comments:
That was touching and beautifully stated. How true. I smile when I read this and think about you. You are one of my favorite people.
Wow. I am truly a better person for having just read every one of your posts so far. Thank you so much for sharing with me. I am honored. And grateful to be able to bask in your wisdom and amazingness.
Love this post. I am so glad you invited me to view your blog. Your kids are DARLING, as always--but way too big! When did they grow up?! We miss you and think of you every time we drive past your old house!
you have such a way with words Lorinda!
what a great post.
Thanks for the invite to your blog! I am glad I'll have this to keep in touch when you head west... sniff, sniff...
Love how you put joy into words so well. We are so glad you're back!
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