Funny how appropriate some words are each day during this Lenten project. Today’s word is joy.

Those three little letters got me through some pretty tough times the past few years. When I chose to focus on the joy and the good in my life, God helped me through my dark places I visited.

Today, we attended a funeral of a 100 year old man we knew from our former church. It was amazing to celebrate 100 years of life. Although we were there for a funeral, it was so nice to see our old friends from church. It was so nice to talk with them, chat about our families, and of course collect hugs from all of them.

Tonight we went to a joint 50th birthday party for some of hubby’s friends from high school. But, because it is such a small world, I knew a few of them too. It was fun to laugh, reminisce, and just chat.

Although today had a wide gamut of emotions, I realized on the way home that the people we came in contact with today represented parts of the joy that make up our own story. These people we got hugs from all played a part in who we are, what we believe, and in the fabric of our souls.

This was the first time we have returned to the church we left in the fall. There’s a lot of unrest in their congregation – heck I know it’s in the whole Methodist denomination these days, but there I think there is an undercurrent of unease and of tiredness. But, as I saw today, there is still a whole lot of love. There is still such passion and such energy from many of our friends. I pray that God helps them find their joy in their church again.

As Hubby and I went around and talked with people we haven’t seen in awhile, I was reminded of just how important these relationships have been in our lives. I was reminded of the fact that God puts the right people in your life at the right time., and although our family has moved on, it is important to recognize all we have learned from our time there, from the people there, and from the love we shared each week.

It was fun to see people react to how much our boys have grown in the short time we’ve been gone. It was fun to laugh and reminisce.

I try my best to find the joy in each day. I try my best to find the joy in sticky situations. I try my best to be the best person I can be, and I try to spread that idea around through my kids, my family, my students, and my friends.

This photo captured by my friend, Rachel, is one of my favorites. As a mom, my kids can drive me nuts, but they are my joy each day. The emotions behind being a Mama is for another post some time.

The prayer tonight is: God of all hope, help me to see joy in my life. Help me to see the ways you are at work in my life. Help me to share that joy with others. Amen