Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships

It’s a Choice

I’m late posting this week because I went to see a dear friend who is battling cancer. Actually, it isn’t because I made the trip, it’s because I accidentally left my computer at home and didn’t realize it until I arrived at my destination seven hours later. Consequently, I was without a computer until I got home tonight.

Mrs. Alice, my elderly friend, had breast cancer three years ago and fought it like a trooper. She never complained and did all she could to not impose on anyone. And yet, in early November, it was obvious to those of us who are close to her that she could no longer manage on her own.

Her son came down just before Thanksgiving and took her home with him. In January, they discovered cancer in her brain and she is now in treatment. For her, life is now difficult and doesn’t make sense. We went to encourage her.

On the trip up, while flipping through the December Woman’s Day—yes, I’m a little late reading it—I ran across a quote that spoke to me. Instead of posting the blog I’d started, I thought I’d share the quote.

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day” – Henri J.M. Nouwen, a Dutch priest, professor and writer.

My heart was heavy as I traveled to see Mrs. Alice. I still ache for her, but now I’m choosing joy–to remember positive things that I’m thankful for. She knows Jesus. If treatments don’t have the desired effect, she will meet her Savior face to face–and her husband and the infant twins that she never got to hold. I’m grateful she’s with caring family instead of all alone, and so forth. There is much to be joyful about.

Mrs. Alice needs others to lift her up now. She needs us to choose joy so we can share it with her.

I’ve realized several things out of the juncture of this quote and situation.

  1. I can choose joy. It doesn’t depend on the circumstances I’m in.
  2. Others around us are struggling and joy alludes them. If I am joyful–if I carry joy, I can bring light and hope to them. I can make a difference.
  3. If I want to be an instrument of joy in other people’s life, I need to be practice choosing joy myself. I never know when someone else will need encouragement, I want to be ready.
  4. If I choose joy and keep choosing it every day, and choose it multiple times through each day, I can help others and multiply my strength and grace (and joy) too!

It’s a win-win situation for everybody.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).

“Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5).

“Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright” (Ps. 33:1).

“In [God’s] presence is fulness of joy” (Ps. 16:11).