“Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts.” Wendell Berry
This powerful idea of Wendell Berry, a Kentucky novelist, poet, cultural critic and farmer, can be a tough idea to get our heads around. For it requires openness on our part, a willingness to accept what life hands us with an attitude of joy and gratitude for what we have already received. It is an inclination to see the beautiful despite the ugly and an invitation to see the dignity of human life despite those who would have us denigrate everything we don’t agree with or understand. It is a chance to find the very best in others when all the cultural mores and signs direct us to find their faults and take advantage of them.
So with that in mind, I am deciding to “be joyful” today, even though the facts — the words and the images swirling around me — can be a bit disheartening. I am deciding that only I get to choose what creates my state of mind and my attitude toward the world.
I am deciding to once again enjoy and revel in the Olympic games, despite the naysayers, the sullen-faced politicos, the scandal of performance enhancing drugs, and the hyperbolic nationalism that can sometimes detract from appreciating the beauty of human athletic performance. (Although I will still on occasion do the USA! USA! cheer, no doubt). For whether we are armchair athletes, young hopefuls or weekend warriors, the Olympic Games give us a chance every few years to imagine what we all might be if we dedicated our minds, hearts and bodies to attaining some level of greatness.
I am deciding to find joy in the historic, natural and political beauty of my country, despite those on both sides of the congressional aisle who so often cannot find it within themselves to work together to the benefit of those who elected them and despite an ever-growing number of people in positions of authority who astound us with their disrespect for the law, for the genius of our constitution and for the basic human rights and dignity of the men and women in their lives. There is beauty and wisdom all around us in this country — in our backyards and national parks, in our museums and universities, in our churches and synagogues and mosques — and I will hold on to that.
I am deciding that this lingering and dreary winter (and a predicted winter storm) is only a preface to the glory of spring, so I will go ahead and find joy in a good book and a time of quiet prayer by the fire until I can once again emerge from my winter cocoon. (Was it just last weekend that I took two long hikes?) I will (begrudgingly) try to understand all of you who actually like this time of year.
I am deciding that despite imperfect churches filled with imperfect people, I will continue to seek the joy that flows from bringing myself before the altar each week, from kneeling before my still-creating and ever-creative God, from immersing myself in words of scripture, music of worship and fellowship of other Christians.
I am deciding that there is joy to be found in the midst of our ordinary days if we only look a little harder and more closely, if we only remind ourselves more frequently to be aware of the gifts that constantly flood our lives, if we remain diligent and committed to improving the lives of those around us who are not as fortunate, if we embrace justice for all instead of prosperity for a few as the guiding principle of our faith and life.
This is not a call to blindness, to ignoring those things we would rather not see. Rather, this is a call to see our lives and world with new and joyful eyes of faith.
And you? What are you deciding today? How are you choosing joy despite the facts?
Seriously, leave a comment and let us know!
Thank you for up-lifting me at this time. My husband is sick and can’t do all the things he want’s to do. So now I get to do his chores and I am whining (I should be whineing) ha ha…But when I stop feeling sorry for me I DO see God in the world. I have birds swooping down for the seeds God has provided and water for them also.
Again thank you for getting me away from me. God be with us all. Kay
On this cold and icy day, I am choosing to rejoice in the occasional sunbeam that breaks through the gloom. I, too, have been relishing the joy of the Winter Olympics….watching those amazing runs by Red the snowboarder last night was its own reward, even before he earned the Gold. Watching ice skating just makes me feel young again inside, despite my weak ankles that never could manage keeping me upright on skates! And now that lunch is finished, I am going to choose the joy of playing with beautiful scraps of fabric, rearranging and stitching on them in the quest to create my next quilt, with the hope it will be truly amazing!
Thanks, Kay. I love it when God gets something I’ve written to somebody who needs it in the moment…we all need to get way from ourselves sometimes…
Beautiful, JL…no doubt there will be greatness and joy in that quilt!
This speaks to me and I thank you. I read somewhere that “joy is hard work” and that is a truth I have known well.
Steve – After a year almost to the day of dealing with some serious health problems including a major stroke on 2/1/17 and a life threatening melanoma 6 months ago, I have been given a clean bill of health from all my caregivers, During my recovery period and visiting all my various Dr’s and going through rehab, I observed many people who were a lot worse off than me. many of them were far younger and far more serious than I. One day at rehab waiting for my wife to come pick me up, I was sitting in a small garden thinking over my life and feeling sorry for myself. All of a sudden an older woman came to me and shared her story. She had been through much wore that I had dealt with and knew her situation was terminal and still was upbeat and happy. After that afternoon, I met with her every day. Her attitude encouraged me to look at things a different way and to spend more time with my bible and more time speaking to my Lord and Savior. I also started spending more time with others at rehab and in the doctors offices encouraging them. It helped me forget about my problems and think about my pleasures. Your writings helped me as well. I could and can hardly wait for your reflections. Every time you share them, I am more encouraged and find myself striving to go on and not give up. Thank you for being my friend and reminding me that there is a lot more to live for and a lot more people th help along their faith journey.
Thanks, Jan, for writing. Joy can be hard, for sure, especially when so much we experience shouts for cynicism and hatred….
Thank you, Jim. I experienced the same thing back when I was sick and getting chemo. So many people far worse off than me had incredible faith and positive attitude. SO glad you are healthy and clean! See you soon. Thanks for the kind remarks. I feel blessed t hat my writing found its way to you when you needed it, and I’m glad to be your friend.
I missed Mass last Sunday. Yesterday a lady I hardly know came up after the service to ask if I was ok as they had not seen me for a while (one week actually but never mind). The point is that the church community cares for me. That is where God was on Sunday. That was my reason to be joyful
Thanks, Peter. You are so right…we so often forget that our kind word to another can be a source of immense joy and sense of community.
Great Steve! Just what I needed today!
Thank you, Doc!