“REED” This

Joy

This past Sunday evening we had the wonderful privilege and joy of having our granddaughter come stay with us for several hours. It is beyond words to express the wonderful feelings we have when she says, “Hi, Poppa!” and “Hi, BeeBee!” in that beautiful little voice. We had fun playing on the floor with her and even more fun when we tried to get up off the floor. We have a swing out front that was one we had purchased when her father was just a toddler. It is a two-seater where the children can face one another as they swing. We had to go out, of course, and swing some. As we were swinging, she quickly pointed to the other seat and said that was her friend’s side. I agreed and said that friend was coming over in a little bit. That, of course, brought a big smile. We went back inside to cool off and wait for her friend. When he came and they played inside for a bit, she decided it was time by saying, “Swing!” So, we headed back outside, I got each of them in their seat and I pushed them in the swing. Right then, the most wonderful expression of joy came over her face as she looked at her friend and said, “We’re swinging! … Together!”

That look was so precious. It was a look of pure joy and contentment. She was finally getting to swing with her friend in that swing. We had been looking forward to them getting to swing together in it and thought they might really enjoy it, but I had not anticipated seeing such a great expression. It brought so much joy to our hearts to see her so happy.

I saw that same expression in many faces earlier on that Sunday morning. When we met together to worship our God in our new building, the look of joy and happiness was on everyone’s faces. And it wasn’t just the look of being in a new building. It went much deeper than that. It was the look of joy in seeing how the Father had answered years and years of prayer. It was the look of being overwhelmed with the blessings God has given. A lot of prayers, a lot of work, and a lot of patience, but God has answered and blessed by allowing us to have and use His beautiful facility.

These times are definitely very special in our church’s life. And I’m sure those expressions will continue for a while as we continue to meet for worship, Bible study, and fellowship in the new building and at our new location. But as I thought about it, these expressions of joy should always be on our faces. We have the joy of the Lord within us all the time and people should see it all the time. I know I struggle at times with letting the worries and concerns of this life weigh me down and cause my face to show sadness and despair. But I should not let that happen. I need to remember Whose I am. I need to remember Who I have and what I have. I need to remember I’m swinging together with my Best Friend and to let that joy override anything this world brings my way. I can remember “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Bro. Paul Reed

Tuesday, June 28, 2022