June 22

I had an inadvertent epiphany during my Bible study meeting this morning: regardless of circumstances, I should try to live with joy. That's it.

It was a thought that came to me quietly and full out of the blue during a tense moment, so I know it came from God.

Live with joy.

So when I got home, I went outside and admired the flowers and the blue sky and the lovely, lovely scent of the bag of soil that's currently sitting out by the raised beds. And then I took a close look at the volunteer tomato plant that's growing in a large pot by the deck. 

The wonder of creation should inspire joy. Blue sky should inspire joy. A productive tomato plant that seeded itself and thrived despite having very little water early on should inspire joy.

And life in and of itself should inspire joy, because if you take a moment to consider the cosmos, it's miraculous that any of us even exist.

So for that supernatural reminder to live with joy, I am thankful, because I don't do it nearly enough.