Joy

It is a very foggy morning. I have a griddle full of 8 pancakes steaming away beside me. To make enough pancakes for my family takes quite some time so I've been sitting here awhile. To keep myself occupied (since no one else is up yet), I am copying down a favorite Bible passage. I am concentrating very hard when I notice a beautiful sound. Somewhere outside, a bird is singing cheerily. The sound instantly reminds me of golden summer days. Knowing how quickly weather changes here and thinking, "I haven't heard the birds sing in thick fog," I surmise the sun must have come out. Eager to see the radiant, lush world causing the bird to sing, I jump to the window. I blink. Outside, a thick, grey fog dampens the world. I can hardly see the line of trees marking where the river flows. Earth and sky are one. Then it hits me: if only I could be like that little bird—singing for joy in the midst of darkness and gloom, causing others to jump to the window to see what I am so joyful about! "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)

(Written 11/22/08)