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//joy made full//

“Hello” the morning sun whispers. 

Eyes squinting, I mutter some encouragement to myself as I urge myself to wake up. 


Tea in hand, I sit down at the well weathered wooden desk. The chair, ragged with a diy kitenge chair pad made years ago, falling apart at the seams. 


Waiting to be remade. 


And yet, it is here where I find myself wanting to be. The light seeping through the side window of the room - casting highlights on my forest green mug of steaming tea and sending sunshine cascading along the wall before me. For a moment  I’m captivated by the words etched into its being -


Joy. 

In the waiting. 


I sit and I reflect. 

Everyone is waiting for something. 


A healing. 

For provision.

A change in circumstance. 

For direction. 

An unanswered prayer. 


But having joy in the waiting - 

that’s harder to come by. 

So, how? 


If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - John 15:10-11


His Word brings joy. 


My ultimate joy is not dependent on the situation surrounding me. It’s not found in what’s happening or what’s being deferred. 


It’s so much deeper than my happiness. 


Joy is found in the reflection of my dependence on the One who carries me during the waiting. I can rejoice in the middle of the longing for something more, and be thankful for the place I’m currently in. 


Keeping his commandments and by abiding in His love, 


in the waiting

in the wrestling 

in the wondering


There, even in the middle - 

His joy can be found, full to the brim in me. 

And full to the brim in you. 


The pattering of growing feet are heard moving about. The house, once quiet is becoming full of life. 

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