They live with the daily challenges, both physical and emotional, that come with caring for the dear children God has entrusted to them. They live with the omnipresent sense that life is fragile indeed and that crisis could be around the next corner.
Still, they smile and they are peaceful. For those of us who are privileged to call them friends, they are an example of joyful serenity. I asked them both what makes it possible for them to be joyful, though not always happy, when faced with circumstances that would make many women despair.
Both of them spoke first of faith. They believe that the Lord is good. No, one of them insisted that he is “our Great God.” They trust Him as a child would. One cannot be fearful or despairing if she truly believes that someone who loves her more than we can even begin to imagine is in charge of her life. The key here is that these women let God be in charge. They recognize that they are powerless and yield their lives to Him who is all-powerful. That is faith. And with that faith comes joy.
Secondly, they smile. Frequently, they smile when they don’t want to smile. And people notice their smiles. The receptionist at one woman’s dentist even commented that she knew this lady wouldn’t be bothered by a change in plans because she was always cheerful. This concept took a little pondering for me. If you smile, when you’re sad, aren’t you in denial? No. If you smile when you’re sad, you have acknowledged that you’re sad and resolved to bear your burdens cheerfully. Frequently, this approach brings you happiness. Always, it brings joy.
Joy is knowing that Christ carries the cross and that he triumphs over it. Joy allows us to smile when we are sad. The smile allows the receptionist in the dentist office to know that we are truly Christian. Mother Teresa writes that, “The joy of Jesus will be my strength — it will be in my heart. Every person I meet will see it in my work, my walk, my prayer — in everything.”
Both women choose to be joyful. They choose not to ponder the possibilities. They live in the present. They know God in the present. He is with them, here and now. Today. They don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow. The very well-worn Bible from my childhood falls open to the page with this highlighted quote: “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time” (Matthew 6:34). Joyful Christians guard their souls, careful not to let evil crowd out the peace of the Lord. Mother Teresa explains this philosophy beautifully: “Never let anything so fill you with pain or sorrow so as to make you forget the joy of Christ Risen.”
Rejoice! He is risen and He is Lord!
(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
