The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
-J.R.R. Tolkien
Many, many moons have passed since I last sat down to write [think the myspace era!], and I find myself daunted by the blank page. Life has shifted in a myriad of ways-some predictable, others less so. There is now a notable lack of that quietude which lends itself to transitory thoughts finding permanence through writing.
Instead, play food and utensils appear on my lap, as the littles serve me yet another pretend main course, with a side of love and a sprinkle of silly.
An Everest of laundry looms in my periphery.
High volume squabbles announce the daily property dispute over a most treasured toy.
Sweet baby girl wakes and needs her mama.
Beyond doubt, the resemblance of present to past is small. Yet, instead of being a hindrance, this new rhythm of home and family inspires expression and recognition. So, here I am, willing the words to move and give shape to the colorful, chaotic blur that is our life. The first attempts at this may emerge a bit rusted, with gears groaning and springs popping loose in protest of run-on sentences and excess exclamation points [Seinfeld reference, anyone?]. However, as long as they convey the heartbeat of my thoughts, that is an acceptable beginning.
Clearly Canadian. That name may ring a bell for those who lived through the 90s. It’s a brand of clear-bottled, fruit-flavored sparkling water that is making a come back. A friend offered me one recently, and just a sip of the fizzy sweetness sent me running down memory lane.
Summer road trips of my childhood were not complete without the obligatory gas station stops. The memories are punctuated by warm sunshine, the acrid smell of gasoline, and a chance to grab sustenance for the road. Honey roasted peanuts and a shimmering bottle of Clearly Canadian were my top picks. Throw in a pillow and a well loved copy of Jane Eyre, and the back seat transformed into the ideal travel cocoon. Every turn and stretch of long highway were made that much more enjoyable by what I had with me.
The comparison is simplistic, but it sticks.
The title Joy for the Road stems from the longing to know lasting joy and to carry it with me, wherever life’s road leads. In all the moments: from simple to extraordinary. Even when the way gets muddy and seems impassable. I can never hope to achieve this through my own strength. Nor does my middle name [Joy] somehow afford me an extra boost of what is defined as “delight, great pleasure”. Past attempts to force fit a happy attitude over my weary soul have resulted in failure and frustration.
In John 15, Jesus encourages his disciples to “abide” in His love. In essence, to remain connected to Him, as a branch must stay connected to the source vine if it is to thrive. And in so doing, their lives would be an abundant reflection of who He is, bringing God glory. At the end of this particular passage of instruction, Jesus tells them:
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (vs 11)
Lasting, full joy finds its root in His joy. This is no fleeting, self-contrived, circumstantial happiness. It springs from a connection to God’s heart, through love and obedience. I find delight and hope in this truth: that both the gritty and glorious bends in the road can be journeyed with the joy of the Savior as a sustaining companion.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:18-19