Find joy

Everyone has had times of disappointment, mourning, or sadness. I have had my share of times like these. But how do we seek joy in such times? An example of this is the India trip I was planning to go on with SWO. I had been planning this trip for over a year and a half. I was learning the language, culture, etc. And I spent so much time fund-raising, writing support letters, and counting down the days, hours, and even down to the very second until we left for India.

Then two days before… I (along with my parents) couldn’t go because of issues with our visas! Why? What had I done to not be able to go? I don’t know but I do know the Lord had it planned all along. I knew he had the perfect reason for me not to go and the perfect time to go, just later than I had planned.

And honestly, he had it planned since before the foundations of the earth! And he has graciously given me scripture to be able to go and seek him, to find my joy in him daily in his praise and in worship, to learn how to abide in him, wrap myself in his love and embrace it all! It has taught me to drench myself with the water of life in Him, any chance I have. It has taught me how to realize that there are way worse situations in this world than me having to delay my trip by just a few months. I am so very thankful I can rejoice in that truth, and seek joy in it!

-Kilby Holloway