Adding More Joy to the Pile
I’ve wanted to share these words for a few weeks now, but at first it seemed like there wasn’t space for them. It’s no secret that we are all living in strange times right now. Things that were once seemingly stable are being shaken, routines and habits that brought comfort and a sense of control are being forced to change.
I’ve been pretty quiet about sharing my opinions about everything going on on social media because I didn’t want to add to the noise. I felt like what I had to say or share would be lost.
But now I think we’re all reaching a point where more than anything we need hope. We need to pick each other up. We need to be there for each other, even if we can’t do that physically.
So this is me adding more joy to the pile. These next few words and nuggets are my best attempt at bringing light, hope, and a sense of “me too” to the table. May you read them and walk away feeling just a tiny bit lighter, even amidst the crazy circumstances swirling around us.
My boss shared this quote the other day with our team, and it pretty much hits the nail on the head for me. I heard this quote a few years ago on a podcast, but given the situation and circumstances across the world right now, these words hit home now more than ever.
“The first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things -- praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts -- not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs.” - C. S. Lewis
Something else I’ve been smacked in the face with lately is how easy it is to build a false sense of security and control. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s felt that over the last few weeks. I had a favorite EP on shuffle the other day, and when I heard these words it stopped me in my tracks.
I abandon my addictions to certainty of life, my need to know everything. This illusion can speak, it cannot walk with me at night, as I taste life's fragility.I am looking for a savior I can see and know and touch. One who dwells within the midst of us. May a broken God be known in the earth beneath our feet. May our souls behold humility. I can't pretend to know the beginning from the end but there's beauty in the life that’s given. We may bless or we may curse every twist and every turn. Will we learn to know the joy of living.” - Will Reagan
Third, reading these words from Paul out loud to myself frequently is a game changer in keeping my mind set on hope, not on the situation in front of me. Paul says in Ephesians,
“[I pray...] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” - Ephesians 1: 17-23
I was cleaning out my phone the other day and found this voice memo I recorded last month. Our church was in the middle of a season of prayer and fasting. My friends were leading a time of worship and prayer. Listening to it back, I felt like it was something others needed to hear. In it’s simplest form, this to me is what it sounds like to seek what is beautiful, trustworthy, and true.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite things lately that have been bringing me joy.
Frozen grapes. If you know, you know. We used to make these as kids. When our parents were out doing yard work and we weren’t quite old enough to contribute, my siblings and I took it upon ourselves to make lunch and provide snacks. One of us thought of the brilliant idea to throw grapes in the freezer, and a few hours later you have the easiest and best treat. A favorite quarantine-approved activity lately has been reading in the sunshine and having these as a snack. Try it and tell me you’re not obsessed, too.
Really good music. I updated the boombox playlist! For those of you that have been following along for a bit, I have a playlist that I update every few months with some songs that I’ve been loving lately. The songs are pretty much all over the board in terms of genres. This time is no different, with a mix acoustic, a little pop with soul, and plenty of The Killers-vibes to keep you smiling.
Finishing a new video project. This edit is basically a massive compilation of some favorite moments of the last few years that I didn’t have space for elsewhere. Moments the side of highways, bridges, rivers, etc, from Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, and Alaska.
Watch the full video here.