gratitude,  life lessons

Inexpressible Joy

May 26, 2012 /

A couple of weeks ago I was wandering aimlessly at work in search of Chick-Fil-A.  I knew there was one on the campus, but I didn’t know exactly how to get there.  As a new employee on a huge campus, I have spent a lot of time lost and at the mercy of others.  If you know me at all, you will know that’s not a place I like to be.  But, back to my search for chicken and waffle fries…

As I walked, a person asked me for directions to the main hospital.  Great.  I’m lost, and someone needs directions.  Oh boy.  I told her I wasn’t sure, but that I thought it was down the hill.  I offered to walk with her until we found it.  It was actually down the hill.  Yay, me! In the process of walking and talking, I learned that she had recently lost her job and had subsequently become homeless.  I was immediately humbled.
We shared lunch together and talked some more.  In the process, I learned that I am so blessed.  Though we have been hit very hard economically, we are still hanging onto our home by a thread and meals come regularly.  Since I had to rush off to a meeting, I didn’t have time to stay for long with her.  I had intended to come back and meet her at the end of my day, but circumstances precluded it.
I prayed that I would see her again.  Yesterday, as I was leaving work walking in a new direction, I saw her again.  JOY filled my heart.  God had heard my prayers and answered in a way that only He could.  And I had NO doubt that it was His work alone.  We hugged.  We talked.  I know I’ll see her again, and I know He’s taking care of her in ways that I can’t.  That gave me “inexpressible” joy.  
God is the only source of true joy (I Pet. 1:8), and He pours His joy out in unexpected ways.  And, though I had to settle that day for a well-made panini over my waffle fries,  I got something much better in the end.  What filled your heart with unspeakable (inexpressible) joy today?

For more on the Joy Fruit of the Spirit, please visit:
There is Beauty in Letting Go: http://beautyintheletgo.blogspot.com/
The Ever-changing Thought: http://tecthought.com/

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