Hold on to Joy

Time, like an ever-rolling stream bears all her sons away

They fly, forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day.

--Isaac Watts

How quickly time passes . . . 

Can it be June already? And soon September will fly in like a brisk-winged hummingbird-- and then October with her delicious cool air and the scent of burning leaves and the feel of crispness and remembrance. 

And we try to hold on to peaceful moments and perfect days and delicious scents and meaningful gifts. 


But they fade. 

And no matter how tightly we grip them, they eventually slip through our fingers. 

A moment, a memory, it flits like a butterfly in the warm summer breeze and then vanishes. 

Spring and Summer, Fall and Winter rushing by, a kaleidoscope of days - sorrow and laughter, joy and pain meshing together and moving, tripping onward, onward, onward. 

I want to hold on to the things of wonder and joy. And I want to loosen my hold on the things that have been painful - loosen my hold without losing my grip on the lessons that I've learned through pain, and the hard-as-iron way that these things have bound me to the Savior who has borne all of my griefs and carried my sorrows. 

I want to hold on to joy.

The first time that I kissed the beautiful, soft skin of my babies . . . 

The scent of my Mama's flowers drifting into the open window in the cool of the morning-breeze . . . 

The delightful taste of a homemade chocolate cake on my birthday, prepared by the hands of one who loves me . . .

The wonder of Christmas, the family-closeness of Thanksgiving, the glory of Easter . . . 

The soft Spring sun seeping in my open window, the birds lifting their beaks upward to the Father of lights and singing, singing, delighting in the beauty of the Creator's day . . . 

My Mama's kind smile, her hands gently planting perennials in the garden, pressing the soil firmly around them . . . 

My husband's quirky jokes and quick-wit . . . our word-bantering for the fun . . . 

The feel of our dog Bonnie's soft  fur, the look in her deep eyes as she played with her ball, brushing her old, worn body for love before we had to put her down at 17 . . .

I want to hold on to joy . . . 

And I've learned, I've been learning, that when I try to hold on to the things themselves, I lose them. 

When I place my delight in the things themselves, when I grasp them too tightly, they slip through my clenched fingers. 

I have to let them go . . . 

Offer them to Jesus . . . 

Offer back His gifts. 

And I find; I am finding, 

That when I offer them back, I receive them again - a true possession -

And my soul is flooded with joy, built on joy, sustained by Joy -

Because I am really holding onto Him, the Giver of every joy, of every true gift--

And I have the joy of His salvation, His presence, His peace. 

Finding out the greatness of His loving heart--

The One who holds all things in his keeping, 

For the joy of our hearts. 

You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup