Where Joy Sprouts

“Therefore my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices!”
Deep inside me is a place
where joy sprouts in darkness,
warm with body blood
pumping, thumping,
the beat of the soul.

It’s that place, invisible,
who and what I am.
Cells, tissue, tendon,
muscle and rustle of movement
bond wholly with me in
singing and sorrow.
Joy sprouts in that quiet.

Pushing through openings,
valves measuring volume,
clapping approval
and whirling it onward,
outward and forward
to lung, throat and finally
loosening my tongue!

I laugh for joy.
(Ps. 16.9)

I am at the lake, looking out the window in the Pine Room at Chalet Shalom, the legacy from Mom and Dad. This is just the third day of relishing the quiet and renewal of retreat. One of the goals that my friend and I agreed on, the first day, was to be alert for “moments of joy.”

Monday I was doing something I love (working on my memoir) at this ancient desk by the window when suddenly an adorable little bird lighted on the deck railing just a few feet away. I am not a birder so I don’t know who this was, this chubby guy with a speckled white chest and dark brown suit coat, wearing a scarlet stripe on his head. He stood there a minute, glanced toward me, and flew away.

“Thanks for the greeting, sir,” I said as I chuckled. It was an unexpected moment of joy.

Yesterday, walking around the lake in mist and occasional showers, I had to keep my eyes on the dirt road to avoid mudslides and puddles. Looking down at the intermittent carpets of fallen leaves, my heart kept leaping silently in my chest as I noted the occasional deep burgundy-red leaf glistening with drops of rainwater, surrounded by gold and tan leaves. Each one brought me a moment of joy, a delight in the stunning colors of autumn.

“I love that bursting burgundy!” I exulted out loud. What an imagination the Creator has! He not only put in place the incredible diversity of plants, he programmed the seasonal changes painted with master artistry: burgeoning green summer foliage that relaxes into fiery colors of autumn as the trees go to sleep, then silhouettes of bare trees against icy blue skies or whirling white snow, followed by the wake-up calls of buds and flowers and newborn leaves.

This morning mist was rising off the lake into the predawn blue-gray heavens. It is gradually evaporating, so that the orange treetops of the woods across the lake are lit by sunshine.

I keep my eyes always on Yahweh. With him beside me day and night, instructing me, always there to protect me, my heart is glad and joyful words burst out. You, my Lord, make known to me the path of life: the fog lifts and you direct my feet as I walk toward forever with you. There, joy will be our unending song. (Personal thoughts on Psalm 16:7-9,11)

What was your moment of joy today? Wherever you are, did you notice something that made your inner being rejoice?