Day 29: Words and Pictures: Joy
Joy: “a feeling of great happiness; success or satisfaction.”
Joy and its synonyms- delight, bliss, felicity are some of my favorite words. What is not part of the definitions is the state in which joy may occur- joy may be present regardless of circumstances.
Contrary to many of the definitions, I also think that joy is not happiness although the feelings might seem the same, just like a thermostat is not a thermometer although both determine temperature.
A thermometer responds to the temperature around it. If the temperature is warm, the mercury rises. If it is cold, it plummets. Much like happiness. We are happy when our surroundings are pleasant, situations are hopeful, or our health is relatively good. We can become unhappy or miserable if we do not feel well, if we feel hopeless or if times are tough. Just like the outside temperature determines the response of the mercury, the outside conditions of life can determine if we are happy.
On the other hand, a thermostat controls the temperature of the surroundings. It determines the degree of heat or air conditioning that is needed to flow in order to achieve a preset room temperature. It is not controlled by its external surroundings but is internally controlling the temperature. Much like joy.
Joy is a preset state of mind. We sometimes have to choose joy first, before we “feel” it. Joy happens when you are least aware of it or least wanting it to occur. I have heard of many people say that even in the middle of a difficult crisis or struggle there is a peace and joy in their heart.
I know that there have been times when if I just went by the chaotic external circumstances of life I could be justifiably miserable but because I had chosen to concentrate on joy, I felt surprisingly at peace. I wouldn’t say that I am an ebullient (cheerful, full of energy) individual all the time, but my nature leans more towards that than not. Partly it could be my personality, upbringing, etc. But I think a good part of it is because God is in control of my life and that gives me a peace that passes all understanding. I wouldn’t be so bold as to say that I feel that way all the time. Everyday it is the daily sanctification of choosing God in my life, of choosing God’s will over my own, of trusting God with all the details of my life, of letting God control my “thermostat” and of choosing joy.
“Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure joy to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things.” ~ Corrie ten Boom. (Survivor of the Holocaust, went on to become one of the great saints in this world, an inspirational speaker and author.)
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” ~Rick Warren. (Pastor and author who is not a stranger to struggles and tragedy.)
What about you? Are you a thermometer or thermostat? Happy? Or joy-filled? In the middle of all this individual, national and global uncertainty, who do you think is in control?
Because of copyright, I wouldn’t post a picture of Henri Matisse’s Joy of Life (Le Bonheur de Vivre). Click here to see an interesting video about it.
Click here for more information about Corrie ten Boom.
Click here for more information about Rick Warren and to read his daily devotional.
Day 28: Words and Pictures: Peace
Peaceable Kingdom. Edward Hicks (American, Langhorne, Pennsylvania 1780–1849 Newton, Pennsylvania) ca. 1830–32. One of many versions that Hicks painted. *
Peace. freedom from disturbance; tranquility. The Bible’s definition: šālôm, translated in the Septuagint most often by the Greek word, eirēnē, has a wide semantic range including the notions of totality or completeness, success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, security and well being.
Are you at peace today? In looking at the words of the definition- tranquility, security, well being, it would appear through social media, news reports and anecdotally through my own discussions with friends and family, that most people are feeling at odds and not peaceful at all.
I find peace to be paradoxical. There are times when I should be anxious and unsettled and I am not. I feel calm and peaceful. When there is a big crisis or problem, I can be clear headed, compartmentalize what needs to be done and dive right in. I wouldn’t say that I am the best in crisis and I would never boast about it (partly for fear that through some cosmic whammy I would be given a whopper of a problem) but I have experienced and witnessed enough to know that I could (and have) survive(d) through some big issues.
At other times, the littlest pebble of disruption will ripple my still pond. I get anxious, upset and irritable. Those days I do not handle the small things well. AT ALL. There is no peace in my life (and I am afraid in my household) on those days.
How do we cultivate peace? How can we be free from disturbances in our minds and actions? How do we promote peace? To move toward wholeness and harmony?
For me it is all about my faith. Not in me or anything I can do but in God and what He has and can do. It is all about letting go of control.
This pandemic has taught me a bunch of lessons and one of the biggest is about control. In some ways the big things are easier for me to relinquish control. Since there is no way I can do anything about circumstances, like the spread of the corona virus and subsequent shut-down of society, I am for the most part not worrying about it. But, the small things like planning when/if we can travel to our Cape house to get it ready to rent this summer is something about which I am unsettled. It is hard for me to just let things go and unfold without my “input” and not have a plan which I have constructed.
I am comforted by the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” When I trust that God has things in control- both big and small- I am at peace. The peace that Jesus gives us is the shalom, the wellbeing and harmony of being reconciled with God. Part of that reconciliation is recognizing that we are not perfect people and we cannot have peace within ourselves or others apart from God.
It is not a once and done thing. It is a daily sanctification of choosing to let God be in control, to let Him be the guide and in charge of my thoughts, actions and reactions. It is letting Jesus’ peace seep into my very marrow. It is being, at times, counter intuitive to what the world says: trust no one, look out for #1, do whatever it takes to survive, you are in control. The thing is, that type of thinking only makes us anxious and disturbed because sooner or later we will realize that we cannot control life, that we need one another and that looking out for only ourselves (and doing whatever we want and not being considerate of others) is very lonely and potentially deadly (as this virus has shown).
While Jesus also reminded his followers that there will be trouble and difficulties in this life, the ideal of a peaceable kingdom can begin now- heaven on earth until such time when there will be a new heaven and earth. I can be part of the building of that peaceable kingdom by offering shalom to others: to aid one another in achieving wholeness, to promote harmony among people, to encourage each one of us to be reconciled with God.
What about you? Peaceful today? In this moment that I am writing this post, I can say that I do feel at peace. While I know that unsettling circumstances are swirling around me, I am choosing to not let my heart be troubled. I am choosing to accept the peace that Jesus gives me. I am choosing to be a peace-maker.
Click here to learn more about the painting.
Edward Hicks painted many versions of The Peaceable Kingdom, taking the theme from a passage from the Book of Isaiah, 11:6-8, which tells of all the animals gathering together in harmony. Hicks recast the Biblical text as a poem:
The wolf did with the lambkin dwell in peace.
His grim carnivorous nature there did cease
The leopard with the harmless kid laid down
And not one savage beast was seen to frown
The lion with the fatling on did move
A little child was leading them in love.
Day 3: Words and Pictures- Calm
A calm day at one of our favorite dog walking places. Where do you experience a sense of calm?
In light of the emotions that this pandemic have evoked- do you feel calm? Or are you fearful? What is the opposite of fear for you? According to dictionary.com, the antonym of fear is calmness and confidence. In a poll of two (my husband and myself- we are complying to the stay-at-home order), we were saying the opposite of fear could also be trust and courage.
My nephew has spoken about fear in one of his latest sermons and blog posting. #fearstopshere. He likens the contagion of fear to the pandemic and challenges each one of us to stop the spreading of that fear and be the non-anxious presence in your networks. I would say, be the face of calm.
I like the word calm and the picture it evokes in my mind: that of stillness, peace, and tranquility. It reminds me of the little-to-no breezy days of the beach. The days when the water is calm and you can see the sandy bottom- the little minnows, the snails, the hermit crabs and all the water life.
It is only through calmness that we can see clearly. It is only through peace can we promote understanding. It is only through stopping fear that we can trust and be courageous.
What about you? How can you be the calming presence in your community? Do you need to name your fears? Do it. Say them out loud or write them down. Then rip up the paper and say, “I choose to not be fearful. I choose to be the face of calm today.”
Peace and Calm
I know. It has become a cliche but I must say, it is a good reminder…
I think most people would say that they do not feel at peace or any sense of calm especially in today’s environment. The world seems to be going crazy. In just one week we have gone from a relatively normal existence to scrambling for toilet paper and goods, focusing on every sniffle, ache and pain, and washing and gelling our hands until they are raw. There is no escape- every where in the world it is relatively the same.
In the Sunday NYTimes there was an article about the 1964 Alaskan earthquake. A newly formed team of sociologists charged to study disaster planning in the wake of the cold war, arrived in Alaska expecting to find chaos. Instead, they saw a community coming together, using its resources and experience to help one another. The president of the mountaineer club volunteered to organize a search and rescue. Neighbors were helping neighbors recover household items and sharing meals. They did not find the neighbors looting or hoarding. Just assisting one another.
The other night I saw part of a David Attenborough documentary about Africa. He was highlighting the beautiful yet stark, harsh conditions of the Sahara Desert. As you can imagine no water is to be found anywhere except at few and far between oasis. There is one such spot that contains a large lake which turns out to have hyper-salinity. More so than any ocean and in ingesting it, many animals die. Because of the deaths, it also is home to plague-like proportions of flies.
In a remarkable turn of events, the thirsty migratory birds stop, not necessarily for the water but for the flies: in eating the flies they get hydrated. Talk about making lemonade from lemons. Or water from flies. (I have heard of “like water for chocolate” but never like water for flies.)
All this makes me think of our current situation. Not that I welcome COVID-19. Certainly not as a thirsty traveler welcomes an oasis or as a community building activity. But who knows the whys and what for’s in this pandemic crisis? Is there an opportunity in what we are experiencing? Some hidden blessing or unimaginable alternative? From all the disaster movies of the 1970’s, we know that panic doesn’t help any situation. (although it makes quite a drama). Can we be calm? If sociologists came to our community, would they find us carrying on and helping each other?
What are we to do when we feel that our lives have crumbled around us and that the reality that we knew, no longer exists or supports us? How do we (try to) maintain a peaceful and calm demeanor?
While I have no answers, I do know the One who does. I do know that God is sovereign and that I need to trust Him even when, and especially when, life seems chaotic and out of control.
Ideas that I try to instill in myself so that I may (or attempt to) have the peace that passeth all understanding:
1) God is in control and world leaders, health professionals and I are not. That doesn’t mean that God has caused COVID-19, or that He is sitting watching all of this unfold like a grand chess master. Nor does it mean that I turn off my God-given mind and become complacent to all that is going on around me. Rather, I choose to trust Him with my life as I trust the ultimate loving parent. While situations can be difficult- suffering, pain, anxiety, stress, loss- when I turn over my feelings to Him, I find that I can manage what comes down the pike. I realize that there is a bigger story going on- bigger than my individual one. When I look at life as part of the eternal timeline, I do not get so anxious about my current event.
2) Be prudent and wise: Take the necessary precautions (self-isolation if you are at-risk, hand washing, practice social distancing, staying as healthy as you can be- sleep, eat, exercise). If constant news and updates on COVID-19 is stressing you out, turn off the TV or radio. Listen to the news once a day. Or, if you feel that you want more information to allay fears- research information, using credible sources as well as multiple ones (for balance). God has created wonderful researchers, scientists, doctors and health care workers. Science is a beautiful, God-created order and we are wise to explore and learn.
3) Look out for others and be a blessing to those around you. It warms my heart to see through social media- I have noticed through the Next Door neighbor groups- individuals asking if anyone needs assistance and reminding their neighbors to look out for the elderly. One thing we can do-simply, why not smile more? It is easy to scowl and frown when we are worried, but what if we tried the opposite? Others can still your smile at six feet.
What are you doing about COVID-19? Do you feel anxious? Are you worried? Are there any good things that you see coming from this event? How can you promote peace and calm in your household?
It Is Well
Recently I was asked to give a devotional for a group of women. They were exploring the idea of wellness in body, mind and spirit and wanted to use the old hymn, “It is Well with My Soul” as the theme for the day. It made me think, how does one say “it is well with my soul” when life doesn’t necessarily provide an environment conducive to that? For many of us, things are so far from being well in our soul. We are anxious, upset, hurt, broken, or troubled. There is no peace. Or as I say to my husband, some days “there is no joy in Mudville.”
There are certain mysteries of life. One is how, through God we can say that we have the peace that passes all understanding. I think that when we realize that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God loves us (and likes us) unconditionally, we can begin to put life into perspective. When we realize that we have eternal life with God, our temporal life on earth doesn’t require as much angst.
Certainly that doesn’t mean that we become anesthetized to the tragedies and difficulties of life. Far from it. But I think when we recognize Who is in control, that He is the one who created all, we can then adjust our attitude and thinking and take a longer view of what is and is not important.
The writer of the hymn “It is Well with My Soul” seemed to understand that. He was no stranger to tragedy.
Horatio and Anna Spafford
Horatio Spafford was a prominent lawyer and business man in Chicago during the mid to late 1800’s. In 1871, he and his wife Anna were living with their four young daughters in Lake View, Chicago when the Chicago fire occurred. Even though Horatio lost money in a property investment deal due to the fire, they were grateful to have survived with their home intact. For the next two years they helped others in the recovery of the city.
In the winter of 1873, the family decided to take a respite and go to Europe with friends. At the last minute, Horatio was detained on business with the plan on meeting the family as soon as he could. Anna and their four daughters set sail on the Ville du Havre. Four days into their journey, the steamship was struck by another boat in the middle of the night. Within twelve minutes the steamship sank. Only 27 of the approximate 300 passengers survived. Anna was one having been found unconscious floating on a piece of debris. Tragically all four of their daughters drowned.
When Anna arrived ashore she sent a telegram to Horatio, “Saved alone. What shall I do?” Anna was bereft but she had a strong conviction that she was saved for a purpose.
Horatio set sail on the next ship. When they boat came to the approximate location and latitude that the Ville du Havre sank, the Captain called Horatio to the deck. After standing on that deck, he penned the words to the hymn.
The Spaffords returned home and in time had two more children, Bertha and little Horatio. Sadly, little Horatio died of Scarlet Fever when he was three years old. After the birth of their last child (Grace), the Spaffords with some friends decided to move to Jerusalem. Over time, the small group become known as the “American Colony”.
Just as they had done in Chicago, they befriended their neighbors in need regardless of ethnicity, race or religion. During WWI, the colony nursed wounded soldiers on both sides of the conflict. When needs arose with orphaned children, the Spafford Children’s Hospital came into being, which is still running today.
From one family’s tragedy arose help and good work for others.
I find it incredible that a family who lost 5 of their 7 children could still have empathy for others and that they would and could reach out to others. I think I would’ve just shut down. It seems to me that in order to be empathetic there must’ve been some peace in their lives. Some reconciliation of their new reality.
What gave them peace? How did they accept the situation that befell their family? (or did they?) By their actions and lifestyle, they continually reached out to others. Was it realizing that there is a bigger plan of life than just what affects them? Whether they felt it or not, they demonstrated obedience, purpose and trust. They felt God calling them to a new venture and so they went.
There are conflicting accounts of the Spafford’s true reasons for moving to Jerusalem yet I don’t find the differing opinions taint my regard of the story. If we examine ourselves, we would admit that each of us is inconsistent in our behavior and thoughts. Our reasons for doing something can be quite complex. Whatever reason they had for moving to Jerusalem and whatever interpretation of their behavior, one cannot argue that they gave back to the community regardless of their circumstances.
I think Anna’s feeling of a purpose helped her. In reading Bertha Spafford’s account of the family’s life, she describes her mother as taking to heart the advice from Evangelist Dwight L. Moody to get involved helping others. Anna did just that even though she grieved for her children her entire life. Bertha mentions in her book, Our Jerusalem, that her mother was quite affected from the drowning of the girls- Anna could never touch corduroy as that was the material of the sleeve of her one daughter as Anna grasped in the dark sea to grab her.
I think purpose helps keep us afloat. My limited life experience has shown that purpose brings depth and understanding to our lives. It gives meaning to situations that on the surface may seem meaningless.
A prayer at Anna’s funeral seems to sum up what the family realized in their hearts: “Life is eternal and love is immortal; And death is only a horizon; And a horizon is nothing; Save the limit of our sight.”
I hope and pray that if I ever have such a life experience as the Spaffords, that I can say “It is well with my soul.” I pray that I can look beyond the immediate and see purpose. I pray that I can trust in Him who suffered and died so that I wouldn’t have eternal death, but life.
What about you? Is it well with your soul?
Lyrics:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
Click here to hear a beautiful rendition of “It is Well with My Soul” narrated by Hugh Bonneville.
Perfect Day
Black-Eyed Susan from our yard. Sadly, our shade prevents the sunflowers from blooming. This is the closest yellow flower I have.
Weather wise, today is a perfect day. The air has finally lost its cloying stickiness of humidity but it does not have the crisp autumnal air yet. It is as if the air is just in a mellow mood.
The sun is still bright and warm. You don't have to look very hard to find the warm sunny spot as you have to do in the dead of winter. When I am outside, my skin feels the way it does on evenings after a day at the beach; the pleasant sensation of cool evening breezes skimming over a taut somewhat sunburned face. At this time of year, I don't need to wait until evening; the day breeze immediately cools down my warmed skin. I half expect to taste some salt on my lips.
I love this transitional time between summer and fall weather. Technically it is still summer but the days and weather lean more to the fall-ish side. It is the day of sunflowers, chrysanthemums and gathering of acorns yet it is still the day of hydrangeas, sunshine, and sandals.
I love the unhurried pace of the day. It makes me want to achieve things but also to just sit back and enjoy whatever I am doing. No time pressure. No feeling of "hurry up and wait." Just a good balance of work, play and create. It is a perfect day for all of it. The sweet juxtaposition of doing and being; the active fall and the languishing summer.
It reminds me of the month leading up to our wedding. Just before it, I had an accident at work- slipped on a freshly waxed floor and landed right on my backside. I was told to go home and rest for a couple of days. Even though the wedding date was looming, I found those days were wonderful. I could lounge in bed reading books. A co-worker loaned me all of her D.E. Stevenson books and I was in heaven, reading about the trials and tribulations of everyday life in England and Scotland. I was transported.
It seems to me that the quality of today's air is like it was twenty-seven years ago. When I feel it, I am transported to a place where I feel mellow. Like the country song says, "no shoes, no shirt, no problems." (except of course, the shirt!)
Every year, in September and October I look forward to days like today. I wish I could bottle it, but then I wonder if it would be as special? When days like this come around, do I squander it or do I thoroughly enjoy each moment? And, do I have to wait until my surroundings, e.g. the air and sun quality, are just right in order to feel this peace? If I cannot bottle those qualities, can I still achieve this mellow feeling without it?
Underlying the perfect day is a feeling of hope, expectation, possibilities and a future. Certainly those were some of my feelings leading up to our wedding. If those are the qualities of a perfect day, why cannot each day be perfect?
What about you? Do certain times of the year speak to your heart? When is it? Why is it? Is it a time of remembrance? A time of hope? A time of peace?
Certainly Jesus promises us a peace that passes all understanding. When we trust Him, we do have a perfect day of hope, expectation, possibilities and a future.