Make Room For Joy

     There's so little room for joy in hearts and lives these days. Just this week (and it's only Tuesday), people have awakened to the truth of betrayals, legitimate fears for their loved ones, devastating diagnoses, and unbelievable uncertainties about their jobs, finances, and relationships.
      When I read that sentence again, I realize these are human experiences -that come to everyone, but only God can truly make any good come out of any of them. They remind me of the life of Joseph in the Bible.
      He was a favorite of his father, which made him hated by his brothers. They sold him into slavery where he served faithfully, but then was falsely accused. The ups and downs of Joseph's life feel like a roller coaster. Every new challenge had a connecting phrase: "BUT GOD..."
      God allowed Joseph to be in a pit, in a dungeon, falsely accused, considered dead, hungry and thirsty, and more. BUT GOD showed up, and used those circumstances to bring glory and honor, rescue and life to His people in the end.
      Wherever you are in your valley, in your pit of despair, or even on your mountain top...it's God who will work through your life to make room for joy. May His gentle touch mend our hearts today.