As a result of No.6, Squeezed by Joy, I’ve been processing my year with the Lord. In the middle of writing out my book of frustrations, I felt the Lord challenge me to remember things that brought me joy within this year. This is a great exercise, by the way. As I began to remember, one thing led me to another which led me to another and to another. Before I knew it, I had a whole strand of joy.
By far, without a doubt, there is one outstanding joyous occasion—the birth of Emmalyn Kenzie Daft.
(Her official name is Emmalyn Kenzie, but I will be calling her Emmalyn Joy for this post…and probably for the rest of my life…at least to myself.)
It’s joyous for (at least) two reason. First, and way less importantly — Among my frustrations in 2018, there is this one very specific, personal thing I had been asking the Lord about for over two years. The way this thing played out led me to doubt my ability to the hear the Lord and discern his direction.
During the same time frame, I heard the Lord tell me that my friend Sheila was pregnant (Emmalyn’s mom)—like, felt it in my bones that she was pregnant. Two years passed by and she wasn’t. But! In February of 2018, I felt the Lord nudge me again about Sheila’s pregnancy, and I stood in faith (regardless of all my self-doubts because of the other thing) that she would conceive. And then she did! So, Emmalyn’s birth is a personal, joyous reminder that I was created to communicate with God, and that I can hear him.
Secondly, and way more importantly — Emmalyn’s birth is a joyous occasion just because. Her life is filling people with joy all around her. There were many people praying for her, many people are celebrating her. She is a living, breathing reminder that all God’s promises are Yes! and Amen! She reminds us of God’s suddenlies. She reminds us of God’s wonder. She reminds us of…life. And, oh boy, do we ever ooh and aah over her like nobodies business.
Bonus! I love that part of her name (Emma) means “whole”. The Hebrew word for “whole” is shalom, which is, also, translated as “peace”. And, peace is a friend of joy—they are both a product of the Holy Spirit. And, according to Paul the apostle, they make up 2/3 of the Kingdom of God. Boom!
So, Emmalyn Joy, we celebrate you! What a beautiful, sweet gift from God you are!
Think about your year. Can you remember the things that brought you joy?
Shout out to Joe (Emmalyn’s dad), didn’t want you to feel left out.
Brave Sparrow 