Joy for Today

 

Joy, in its truest sense, is quiet and unassuming.  It comes not in grand gestures, but in the simple act of opening our hearts to God’s presence. Brother Lawrence

 

On the day after Christmas, when bits of wrapping paper and tape are stuck to your carpet.  On the day after Christmas, when leftovers are on the menu.  On the day after Christmas, when the mystery and marvel you felt the last few days are chipped away by the headline and posts on social media.  On the day after Christmas, when the anticipation and adrenaline you’ve been running on suddenly vanishes and fades.  Rest.  Rest in the presence of God who is there, not only in the spectacular and special, but in the quiet of this day.  Rest in God’s presence who doesn’t need you to always be striving and hustling and pushing yourself.  Rest in a holy who is there in the beautiful ordinary of washing dishes and gazing at the tree as you notice again the ornament your grandmother gave you.  Rest in the sacred who is present in this day after Christmas.  And may the truth that you are beloved, not because of what you do or have accomplished or achieved or anything on your resume.  You are beloved is the foundation that forms us into God’s image.  Rest in the messy manger moments that don’t need to be tidied up.  And in the stillness may you discover a joy that comes as God’s gift to each of us this day and promises to stay with us every day into the New Year.  With God’s hope, peace, love, and joy as the deepest truths to our lives ~ Amen.