A Life Full of Joy....

"I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you,and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing." John 15:11


Yesterday I read a story about an 85 year old woman named Nadine. She was asked what she would do if she had her life to live over again and she said; "I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else-just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle and a raincoat. If I had to do it over again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go rounds. I would pick more daisies."

I'm having another birthday next month and reading about Nadine who is nearly twice my age has made me wonder if I have lived a life full of joy. Most of my years have been a fun and smooth ride. But, of course there were moments I wish I could go back and change or even erase.

I realize now that those were the moments that have made me the person I am today because I know God had a plan and a purpose for my life. One thing I know for sure is that my life was filled with joy ten years ago when I came to know my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus desired that his disciples would experience the full measure of His joy. "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them" ~ John 17:13

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~James 1:2-4

Can we really have joy in midst of serious trials such as a death of a loved one, loss of a job or a home, perhaps even in the middle of traffic or trying to meet work deadlines and so many other everyday stress factors in our lives? Yes we can, only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we come to know Him and His love for us. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31