If You Want Joy

I read this a few mornings ago when I had a few moments to myself, you know those are rare. But it really encouraged me and so I wanted to pass it on to you:

If You Want Joy by Hannah Whitall Smith

"In thy presence is fulness of joy", and fullness of joy is nowhere else. Just as the simple presence of the mother makes the child's joy, so does the simple fact of God's presence with us make our joy. The mother may not make a single promise to the child, nor explain any of her plans or purposes, but she is, and that is enough for the child. The child rejoices in the mother; not in her promises, but in herself. And to the child, there is behind all that changes and can change the one unchangeable joy of mother's existence. While the mother lives, the child will be cared for; and the child knows this, instinctively, if not intelligently and rejoices in knowing it. And to the children of God as well, there is behind all that changes and can change the one unchangeable joy that God is. And while He is, His children will be cared for, and they ought to know it and rejoice in it, as instinctively and far more intelligently than the child of human parents. For what else can God do, being what He is? Neglect, indifference, forgetfulness, ignorance are all impossible to Him. He knows everything, He cares about everything, He can manage everything, and He loves us! Surely this is enough for a "fulness of joy" beyond the power of words to express, no matter what else may be missed besides."

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 (New Living Translation)