That is what the spiritual life—the life with God—is about: being in touch with a love that becomes joy within us.
I read this line recently in a Henri Nouwen daily meditation. Often, I highlight sentences like this so I can return to them later and sit with them more deeply.
All I need is within.
Joy is an inner game.
I can experience joy regardless of outer circumstances—even amid chaos.
As I grow older, I find myself less interested in things and more interested in experiences and relationships. These are what bring me joy.
When I sit with my wife and watch a Hallmark holiday movie, I feel joy.
When I walk with my daughter, I feel joy.
When I step into my teenage son’s room and ask if he wants to talk, and he opens up, I feel joy because he feels safe.
When I receive a text from my oldest son that says, “Good morning, Pops. I love you. Have a great day,”my heart melts, and joy fills me.
When I take a walk, whether in nature, a city, or a small town, I feel joy.
God is present in all of these moments, in these experiences and relationships.
That is all I want on my day off.
To have meaningful experiences.
To deepen existing relationships.
To build new ones.
This is where true joy is found.
Finally, I sit with Joy twice each day in my centering prayer practice. I need these sits.
They teach me who I am and invite me into the actions I need to take. They reconnect me with my true self, the person God created me to be.
When I stay in sync with God, I open myself to the fullness of joy God longs for me to receive and share with the world.
I am currently reading The Moment of Alignment: The Precise Moment Where Intention Becomes Reality by Dr. Peggy McColl. You can grab it here.
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