One afternoon when Mike and I were first dating, we met for coffee and he gave me this article to read.  It meant a lot to him, and he wanted to share it with me too.  It was called “The Journey is the Joy”.  It was about people who strive and strain through life to get to their next “destination in life” HOPING that when they get there, it will ultimately bring them joy.  But, as the article went on to say, many times those destinations are beyond reaching, or obstacles can get in the way.  Sometimes the destination is not as wonderful as some may have thought.  The focus can be so much more on the “getting there” that we miss out on the joy that comes in the journey along the way.  At times throughout my life I have thought about that article and really, the truth there is in it.

I turned 40 this month, and for my birthday gift, I received a new bike (read my post “Flying Bicycles and Running Cows” to find out what happened to my former bike)!!  I love this bike!  It’s a beautiful blue color, with a cute little white basket in the front (the basket even says “Nantucket” on it…how cute is that?!).  I think I’ll start going to the Farmer’s Markets now just to show off how I can put fruit, cut flowers, and a newspaper in the basket!! I told Mike, “I don’t want a racing bike, or a mountain bike this time…I just want to cruise along at my own pace…think a “Driving Miss Daisy” bike rather than a “Fast and Furious” bike. 🙂

I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had biking around this summer!  When my kids were in VBS last week, I hit the trails by myself!  For the first time since having kids, I felt so absolutely care-free for three beautiful hours every morning!  No one was whining at me (meaning my kids, not my precious hubby, of course! 🙂 ), and there was a refreshing breeze on my face almost the entire time.  I could go as slow or fast as I wanted, I could hear myself think complete, uninterrupted thoughts…and I could literally squeal with delight down the big hills without anyone laughing at my child-likeness!  I found myself singing songs to God, telling Him how thrilled I was just to be His, and even praying for those He put on my heart along the way.  Oh, the joy that bubbled up inside of me on this journey!!! It’s like that article!!  Not once in my mind did I think, “Oh how great it will be when I finally get there, or get back to the car.”  No, in fact, I didn’t want it to end!!

After losing all my joy with the death of my first child, I watched God miraculously restore it, and since then have been determined to hang onto it come good times or bad.  There are always tough hills to bike up, but there are also exhilarating ones to bike down, I want to joy in the Journey…knowing full well that the SOURCE of that joy comes from the One who created it…Jesus Himself.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence, and the pleasures of living with You forever.”  Psalm 16:11.  If I could doodle hearts and curlicues around this verse, I would!!  “Jesus, You are my absolute JOY and delight…thank You for loving me so…”