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Day 6: Finding Joy in the Journey

In the middle of baby Jesus’ amazing welcome to the world—singing angels, kneeling shepherds, visiting rulers—we find his mother Mary somewhat bewildered, but still savoring the moment: “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). 

Mary often savored small joys in life, even when life was uncertain (Luke 2:33, 51). Her example helps us grasp an important truth: we can still choose joy, even while we are waiting, even when our life feels like one ginormous question mark.

It’s tough to be present in small daily moments. We tend to live highlight to highlight, marking time by epic moments: first boyfriend, college graduation, wedding day, big promotion, first child. . . But most of life is lived in the in-between. 

Mountaintop experiences don’t come along that often in life. When they come—when prayers are answered and the answer is yes—life is glorious, and we should stand on that mountaintop and praise the goodness of God at the top of our lungs. 

But let’s remember that most of life is lived between mountaintops, struggling from one peak to the next, through dark valleys and rocky detours. Life is the journey. 

And even as we hike, if we will stop and look around and live in the moment, we will be treated to breathtaking views. 

To laughter with friends. 

To obstacles overcome. 

To talks around campfires. 

To storms proclaiming the power of God. 

To struggles that become stories we tell for the rest of our lives.

Let’s find joy in our journeys, wherever they may lead, however winding, however many detours, however long the space between mountaintops.

As you continue your journey through your waiting wilderness, try these simple decisions on for size:

• I choose to hold on to hope for the life I want, while choosing to find joy in the life I already have.

• I choose to keep praying for the blessings I want and need but to remain grateful for the blessings I already have.

• Like Mary, I choose to put life on pause. To notice the small treasures each day holds. To tuck them away in a secret place in my heart and draw them out again and again to remember the goodness of God, to relive His kindness, and to rejoice in the richness that’s already mine.