Joy

I was speaking to one of my dearest friends who has been struggling for the past several months to simply keep her head above water, both financially and emotionally.  Looking at her situation from a purely natural perspective, things have been looking very bleak, even hopeless.  However, after sharing about the desperation of her situation for awhile, she will stop and thank the Lord for what she does have.  Then, in the course of our conversation, something will happen or one of us will say something that will set us both off into a fit of hysterical laughter, until we are hoping that we remembered to wear Depends!  

It seems that no matter what is going on in life, and no matter how horrible the circumstances, God always meets us right where we are, and gifts us with joy (and lots of laughter).  Even though the circumstances haven't changed yet, my friend has told me many times how much those times have helped her to keep moving forward on her path.  The joy of the Lord is her strength!!!