Joy is Closer Than We Think

by Jacqueline A. Johnson

Some of the sweetest moments in life are the ones we almost miss. We're often waiting for the next big milestone; a promotion, a vacation, a celebration, or the moment everything finally falls into place. But what if joy has been quietly waiting for us in the middle of our ordinary days?

I've learned that joy doesn't always make a grand entrance. Sometimes it looks like that first sip of hot tea before the house wakes up. It's watching the rain fall, or feeling the warmth of the sun on your face during a short walk.

For me, joy also looks like receiving a video of my grandson Devan playing and hearing his sweet laughter through my phone. It's watching my grandson Amir out on the football field doing what he loves, and seeing my grandson Josiah completely lost in his imagination while playing with his Toy Story toys. Those simple videos have a way of stopping me in my tracks and reminding me what really matters.

Joy is hearing the soothing voices of my parents. Every conversation leaves me smiling because I know those moments are gifts. It's talking with my children, checking in on one another, sharing laughter, or simply hearing, "I love you." Sometimes joy doesn't even require words. It's as simple as my husband reaching over and gently touching my hand. In that small gesture, I'm reminded that love is often expressed in the quietest ways.

The older I get, the more I realize that life isn't meant to be rushed through. It was created to be experienced. When we slow down, we begin to notice the little gifts God places in front of us every single day. A kind conversation. An unexpected text. A beautiful sunset. A quiet moment to simply sit with Him and thank Him for another day. Those moments may seem small, but they have a way of filling our hearts in the biggest ways.

Joy isn't found in having a perfect life. It's found in appreciating the life we're living right now.

Today, I want to encourage you to pause. Put the phone down for a few minutes. Step outside. Smile at someone. Call someone you love. Sit with God in the quiet. Allow yourself to be fully present.

The little moments become the big moments when we choose to notice them. My prayer is that we stop waiting for joy to arrive and begin recognizing that it's already here woven into our everyday lives, wrapped in God's goodness and grace. Because at the end of the day, I don't believe we'll remember every item on our to-do list. We'll remember the laughter, the conversations, the hugs, the hand we held, and the people we loved. Those are the moments that become the story of our lives.