Cultivating Joy in Dark Places

In my last post I shared about some of the different ways I've been creating joy in this season of life. In this post, I just want to meditate on this idea of joy a little bit more.

Recently, I've had the realization that in each of our lives there will be seasons where joy seems to flow naturally like a blazing fire or other seasons where it flickers weakly while we try to save the last burning embers. But no matter what season - this fire is possible with work, devotion, and reliance on God above.

In some seasons I've found my joy easily ablaze. Cultivating a fire can even feel easy - anything seems to spark it up. In fact, sometimes it comes naturally like a blowtorch on a dried-out Christmas tree. It's harder not to erupt in flames, than to stay in the dark.

But then there are other seasons, where joy takes some work. Maybe I've got matches and newspaper, some twigs and dried out wood - all the tools I'd need, but still it takes effort to get the flames going. I think for most of our lives, we sit in this kind of place.

And then there are seasons where we've been handed wet wood, a flint instead of matches, and very little tools of keep the fire going. These kinds of seasons are hard. Sometimes, the work it takes to start and keep the joy glowing seems more exhausting than sitting in the thick dark of night with nothing to guide us.

What I'm learning through is this:

1 - I am not responsible for inventing the fire (joy) all by itself.

This comes from above. I can use tools to start a fire, but ultimately this gift comes from God!

2 - I can reach out to others to help me collect the necessary resources to keep joy alive. Sometimes in the darkest seasons when my fire is dimmest, a close friend will bring me a match, dry wood, or even one of their own flames to help get me fire going again.

3 - Life is constantly changing.

You can be sure that the season you're in now is going to change (for better or worse) in the coming years. If you're in a season where your fire is ablaze, it can be an opportunity to help others get theirs going! Or if your fire is weak and flickering, you can rest knowing - this season is not forever, but even here joy is still possible.

Some more things helping keep my fire lit right now:

- Trying new things! (I played pickleball for the first time the other day, and it was fun to try something new, laugh at myself, and meet a new community of friends!)

- Every Moment Holy (This book of liturgies helps put words to simple everyday acts, truly reminding us that every moment of our lives is sacred in the eyes of God).

- Filling my time with family and friends

- Gregory Alan Isakov (we enjoyed his concert the other night - there is something so magical about hearing that man live!)

- Creating over comparing (spending more time creating - with words, weaving, yoga sequences... feeling alive in my own unique contributions and celebrating others' gifts as well!)