I have a perpetual calendar that sits on my computer desk.  When I walked in today I read the quote for today's date which said...

Into all our lives, in many simple, familiar, homely ways, God infuses this element of joy from the surprises of life, which unexpectedly brighten our days, and fill our eyes with light.--Longfellow

I mentally snorted when I read it the first time....and then the second and third.  But as I sat working on my computer, my eyes kept drifting back to that quote.

In the past several months, I have had several 'suprises of life' that have been anything but joyful.  A marriage that ended, bills gone unpaid, threats of a car being repossessed...the list could literally, go on and on!

None of it felt very 'day-brightening', that's for sure!

But then I felt that check in my spirit to look at the quote a little closer...and I thought, 'Ok Lord...what am I missing that You want to teach me?'

The phrase that jumped out at me was this...

...God infuses this element of joy...

I looked up the word 'infuse' in the dictionary.  It means...

To introduce, as if by pouring; cause to penetrate; instill

To imbue or inspire

To steep or soak (leaves, bark, roots, etc.) in a liquid so as to extract the soluble properties or ingredients.

To pour in

To receive an infusion means...

The introduction of a saline or other solution into a vein

I imagined that 'element of Joy' that God gives.  Through the suprises that life brings, be they good or bad I imagined that Joy being infused into my very being.

Its like receiving an inoculation...Once that Joy has been poured in, it helps protect me against all that life throws my way. 

Now I am not talking about happiness!!  Happiness is dependant upon circumstances.  Joy is not!

I looked back at all the surprises that I have had in my life lately and I found this...

Through every circumstance, every trial, God taught me something new. I keep learning new aspects of God's nature.  I have been able to see just how much of my life I can trust God with, knowing He wants the best for me. My faith has grown and keeps growing through every circumstance that I don't see a way out of, but somehow, someway God makes a way.

Its not just sunshine that is needed for a plant to grow. They require the rain as well.

I can hold fast to God knowing that nothing that happens in my life is a surpise to Him!

I am so thankful that I serve such an awesome God!