Joie de Vivre!

I’m walking around a parking lot.   Thinking. 

I’ve flown away again. I’ve flown to find piles of hurricane ruin still standing. No roof. No home.  A parking lot walk is a good option in this restless place. 

I walk around my car which is piled high with my personal belongings. They were rescued last year when I salvaged my place – Just a few treasures which were not moldy or wet.   

My car winks with broken headlight.  It’s front end gives me a crooked smile.

My car’s hood was crushed by an Ian tree.

In spite of all this, my car works. I’m grateful. I’m joyful.

Joie de vivre! 

In a way, I’m in-between places. – I’m kinda nomadic…. 

…but the sun is shining and I can walk. 

Joie de vivre! 

I’m thinking about joy in this parking lot.

Because of the magic of cell phones, I look up the definition of JOY.

I’m amazed!

joy /joi/:

from old French joie -thought to be a shortened version of Josephine,

which means: “Jehovah Increases”

Wow!

Joy is linked to the Lord becoming a bigger part of our lives! 

It’s so cool to see how God pulls things together! 

I’m reminded of the Bible verse:

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 

Joy’s definition also includes a French phrase: 

“joie de vivre” means : joy of living.

✅ Let’s embrace the joy of living with God by our side! ✅

Joie de vivre ! Hooray! 

Sometimes we have to really look for joy.

Joy may be hidden in the crumbling chaos of life. That doesn’t matter.

Joy is here because God is here. 

Humans will not always love.

Precious fragile people will fail and disappoint. 

Why should we be surprised?

After all, Jesus warned us:

“In this world you will have trouble.” 

Isn’t the rest of the story wonderful, though? 

Jesus said: “But take heart! I have overcome the world!” 

Woohoo!  

Joie de vivre, Jesus! 

Today I scratch and claw and jostle my way to joy with Jesus.

I’ve got to elbow out distractions.

This is a regular wrestling match, 

but God gives me strength to fight for joy.

Joy isn’t tied to all these earthly things.

Joy is tied to God. 

I keep walking past  car bumpers in dappled sunlight. 

Life is sweet with the everlasting love of God.

After all, I woke up this morning.

My legs are working. I have people to love.

Sometimes they don’t love me back.

That’s OK.

Giving love is the joy. 

Joy is a powerful gift we can wrap our arms around

regardless of our circumstances.

✅ I pray you’re doing well, dear readers. ✅

I pray you are embracing God’s

joie de vivre! 

“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!” – Phil 4:4