Reflection from one year ago:

JOY! What a glorious word! I want to feel it always. Most importantly, I want others to see it in me.

One morning as I lay awake attempting to start my day, I was contemplating how much I wanted to sense joy – pure and unfiltered – again, and most importantly to recognize it.  

I rose from bed and walked down to my kitchen. I noticed a new random phone text from a friend, who is a Catholic missionary priest in Africa.  It was a bible quote about hope. This day, in his closing, he offered me great “JOY”.  In capital letters, he texted the word JOY!  This was not a word that he has ever sent me before, but in this moment, He shared it with me!  Joy had found me!

We truly never need to look far, as joy is always found in God. He enables us to experience this intense yet simmering happiness!  I said a humbled prayer with a new perspective on finding joy in the most unexpected places.