Last week I spoke about the ups and downs of the holidays. Today I would like to touch on the subject of joy. Many believe that happiness and joy are the same thing, yet they actually are quite different.
Happiness is more of a temporary feeling based on your current circumstances. Joy is a way of being, something that stays with you regardless of the happiness or trials you face along the way. Children who survive trauma need joy in their lives in order to find healing. Joy does not necessarily mean that we are happy everyday and thus never cry or grieve or struggle.
At Christmas especially, children and adults alike, need joy in their lives to find a deep contentment not just in their faith and future healing, but to give hope that the days ahead will also be filled with even more joy. This Christmas I hope you and your kids find joy, even in difficulty. May you all find healing in the opportunity that joy brings.