Joy is in the Work

A few years ago, I was lying in a hospital bed for a few days.  During that time, I felt an overpowering longing to be home, standing in the kitchen with my hands in soapy water and my children playing around me.  That's right, when my often-chaotic and overwhelming life was disrupted and all I had to do was lie in bed and read a book, what I wanted more than anything was to be doing the dishes.

What this experienced confirmed for me is something that I carry forward: that joy is found in the everyday work of life.  We don't work toward joy, we work with joy.  Our daily rhythms and routines, tasks and chores, reports and preparations, these liturgies, that is where we find satisfaction and meaning.  It is all good.  We work in service of God and others, building the Kingdom, and to remember that brings joy.  

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