My favorite folk artist David Wilcox has said, “I love to sing about what brings me joy and I also love to sing about what keeps my from joy.” As we move through Lent 2024 and this time in history, it’s easy to focus our attention on that which keeps us from joy, on the wrong. I think of the line from This is My Father’s World, “that though the wrong seems oft so strong…”. 

I’ve spent the past few days in Fort Lauderdale, FL, at a resort on the Atlantic Ocean. It’s been a beautiful place to rest, learn, laugh, and grow with my colleagues at “The Colloqui-um.” As a first-year participant, I was asked one evening to share my answer to the follow-ing questions: “What three things bring you joy in life?” and “What three things bring you joy in ministry?” I want to share my answers with you in this March newsletter. 

As I answered the questions, I realized I feel the most joy when I participate in an activity that gets me out of what author Marin Laird in his 2006 book called “the wild hawk of the mind.” That’s the mind which gets lost in the tapes and videos inside our heads instead of being in the present moment. So, I shared with my colleagues the following activities which bring me joy in life. 

? Gardening and preserving the harvest. A passion that connects me to my family, especially my grandmother Emily, when I use her canning equipment. When I tend to my garden, I find myself in the present moment often marveling at the cycle of life from seed to plant to fruit. 

? Coaching. When I coach a basketball game, it’s an escape. I must be present. Even better is when a player applies the principles I’ve taught. Wendell executed a perfect block out on a free throw attempt in a recent game and I felt great joy. 

? Family. Being with my immediate or extended family brings me joy as we are present with each other. We could be playing a board game, sharing a meal, or remembering the past together. It doesn’t matter. I’m in the present moment and feel joy. 

I shared the following activities which bring me joy in ministry. 

? “Aha” Moments, for example the woman at a church who read a book and told me, “Pastor, people need to read this book. I now understand what you’ve been preaching and teaching the last five years.” Or the man who said to me when I left that church, “Pastor, thank you for teaching me that my pastor and I don’t always have to believe the exact same thing.” Or, those times when I have an “aha” moment in my biblical studies. 

? Sharing significant pastoral care moments such as births, weddings, and funerals. I experience joy when I am present with people in times of celebration or grief, when I fulfill my call to be a shepherd. 

? Developing relational connections in our faith community and connections with com-munity organizations, such as We Care Ambler. I felt great joy when they visited us last month. 

I would love to hear what brings you joy in your life and in your participation in the minis-tries of Grace Baptist. I invite you to take a moment to pause, ponder, and respond. Send me an email and share your joys. Your sharing will be a blessing. 

Pastor David