Make Space for Joy in your Life

In 1 Nephi 1:1 of the Book of Mormon we quickly learn that Nephi had some serious problems, but he was able to recognize the hand of the Lord despite them.

“...and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days: yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God.”  

Like Nephi, we need to remember to enjoy being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even in difficult times.  I can testify that when I am intentional and take time to look for small and simple miracles in my life, I can find them abundantly no matter what I am facing.  I learned this personally nearly twenty years ago when my brother was dying of cancer as a young father of three children all under the age of six.  His and his wife’s example of making space for the good things during those difficult days showed me that joy and tragedy can exist in the same space and time. I don’t think I would have believed it until I personally witnessed and experienced it myself.  There are a lot of things in life that we have no control over, but during those times, we can see the things in our lives that are beautiful, as more poignantly beautiful, because of our new and greater perspective. As I have thought upon these things over the years, I have come to call them ‘pockets of joy,’ but to partake of them I must intentionally seek them out, or I will miss the opportunity.  ‘Pockets of joy’ are usually small, beautiful moments where we may laugh, cry, share, and take time to love one another.  No one is exempt from suffering, but we are blessed with the Joy of the Lord in all of our days when we make space for it.

Before Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane, He comforted his disciples by saying, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  (John 14:27)