This month on the CW blog chain, we’re talking about Joy. Not the dish soap, obviously. And not an emotion, either. Joy is more enduring than emotions, and joy is not dependent on circumstances.
Joy trumps happiness. Happiness depends on happenings, but joy endures regardless of what may occur. Joy allows you to laugh and smile in remembrance of a loved one’s life when that person passes. Joy keeps you hopeful when you’re laid off and have to wait three months or more before finding a new job. Joy steadies you when the seas get rough and the journey is lonely. As the Bible says, weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. And joy comes in the mourning too, if you let it.
My family is mourning this week. My paternal grandmother, my last grandparent, passed away late Tuesday night. Based on the reports I heard of her prayers toward the end, I believe she made her peace with God before slipping into eternity. That gives me joy, as does the fact that her passing happened on the 24th anniversary of my commitment to walk with the Lord.
In another area of life, my novel Chantal’s Call has done fairly well – I sold all of my first print order and need to get more, and the ebook and CreateSpace print edition are doing okay. Sales have averaged about a copy a day since the Kindle release, and the Smashwords editions offered in conjunction with Nona King’s launch of My Fair Princess have generated another couple dozen downloads. All told, there are about four dozen copies in circulation at the moment. Not bad – I’m happy about it.
If my joy were dependent on book sales and downloads, I might feel less thrilled that there hasn’t been more interest, more reviews, more buzz. Thank God my joy doesn’t depend on such things. True joy is based on the knowledge that God started a good work in me and He’ll be faithful to see it through to completion.
So, although my book is nowhere near best seller status, and even though my Saturday will be spent at a funeral home, cemetery and the former home of my late grandmother, I still have joy. And that beats happiness any day.
God bless you, Traci. Praying for comfort and peace and joy for your family this weekend. This was a wonderful reminder of joy.
Thanks for the prayers, Carol. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Congratulations on your book, Traci. As authors we are privileged to influence others with our words. I know how hard it can be to let go of those we hold dear. We’ll keep you and your family inour prayers. Peace and Blessings.
Thanks for the congratulations and the prayers, E.G. It is difficult to let go, but Grandma lived a wonderful, long, full life. Holding onto her would have been selfish.
Joy does trump happiness. Keep on plugging away at the writing and marketing, the book sales will come.
Thanks, Mike. I will keep plugging.
My condolences on the loss of your Grandmother. It is indeed a joy though, to know she made her peace with the Lord before joining him for eternity. My your love for her and the Lord bring you continued joy in all the days ahead. HUGS!
Thank you, Sandy. I appreciate the condolences and the hug.
Our friend Lookin^Up/Victor couldn’t get his password to work so he could log in here, but he left the following comment on our blog chain sign-up thread:
“I loved everything you said. My favorite line: “As the Bible says, weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. And joy comes in the mourning too, if you let it.” Great play on words, and so true.”
Thanks, brother. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Thanks Traci – and prayers for your family on the loss (but the joy also).
I was thinking this week how easy it is to let circumstances rule, but we have to focus on the Lord and what He has done already and promised to do.
You’re welcome, Bill, and thanks for the prayers and the comments. I know all too well what you mean about letting circumstances rule and choosing to focus on the Lord instead. It’s not easy to do, but it’s vital that we learn to lean on Jesus and abide in His joy regardless of what’s going on around us.
Congrats on your book sales so far.
Thanks, Tracy.
I have a couple of yours in my Kindle; hoping I’ll be able to get to them soon.
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. Tough times. Glad you’re happy and joyful about your book, though!
Thank you, Pegg. I appreciate the condolences and the rejoicing. That’s how life goes; some things you can’t avoid, even while you’re celebrating other things. It’s like a plate of spaghetti the way my mom and brother make it – everything is mixed together, and you if you don’t like oregano, you just have to eat it anyway. Now, large chunks of bell pepper, on the other hand…
You said, “True joy is based on the knowledge that God started a good work in me and He’ll be faithful to see it through to completion.” Amen!
So wonderful that your Grandmother made peace with God before her passing! I rejoice with you over her new life! She is now immersed in joy.
Yes she is, sandigrace. Thank you so much for your uplifting comments.
My deepest sympathy in your loss, Traci. And you’re right. True joy keeps us going, no matter what life throws at us. God bless you!
Thank you, Deborah. I appreciate the blessing, sympathies and comment on the post.
Traci – praying for you and your family at this time of loss, but I am glad you have peace knowing she came to the Lord, even at the door. Wonderful sharing your Joy and that it has nothing to do with happiness, but that deep sense of hope. Congrats with your book and many more joyful successes!
Terrie, thanks for the prayers and the good wishes.
Church today was both sad and sweet. The music minister, not knowing about my grandmother, played a song we don’t usually use during praise and worship – “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” With its lyrics about the hearse and grave, it really hit me hard. And then when he used “What a Wonderful World” after the service – it was part of the pre-funeral background music yesterday, so I got choked up a little bit again. However, my pastor announced my book’s publication again and I sold a couple more copies as a result – even presold one from the next box on order. So all in all, it was an interesting service – a little heartbreaking, a little heartwarming, and joyful all the way through.
Beautiful post…
In my prayers
Thanks, Debra. I appreciate both comments.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. You have a good grasp on The Truth.
Thank you, Tom. I appreciate your condolences.