JOY

“The fruit of the Spirit is…joy” Galtians 5:22

Joy doesn’t always mean happiness (James 1:2) and i can speak from my experience with my vehicle issues this year.  However I have experienced joy this week through fellowship this week with lots of laughter.  Everytime i prayed before any kind of gathering this week, when i asked for the Holy Spirit’s presence, he had me pray specifically for JOY to recognize his presence.

I had so many joy-encounters this week from attending a friend’s church, having a hilarious friend stay the night and laughing so hard my stomach hurt, hanging out after bible study with my girls and just talking about life…I was so glad to know the Holy Spirit was making Himself comfortable and fellowshiping among us.  Last night, i had some friends over to my house for game night.  As i was driving home to prepare for them to arrive, i started feeling guilty that i wasn’t having the blind, the lame, the orphans, the widows over instead of my friends who weren’t “needy”…but i just prayed knowing full well guilt is not from the Holy Spirit and prayed again for His presence through joy.

We played Phase 10 which is pretty much my favorite game right now and every time we broke out into laughter i just thanked the Holy Spirit.  After everyone had gone home, one of my friends stayed the night and as we were cleaning up she said “I am so glad I came tonight, i haven’t laughed like that in a long time, especially this week” and then she told me of terrible things going on at her home.  I know laughter doesn’t always mean God but last night it was a precious gift to my hurting friend.  Even this morning we were still smiling remembering last night.

I praise you, JOY!  You are my JOY!!

(p.s. i would have taken pictures last night to show you, but it was one of those fun nights where stopping to take a picture would have ruined the fun, you know?)