An Ode to Joy

 

An Ode to Joy~

I sat down to write something entirely different, but as the words failed to come, I became frustrated and discouraged. Discouragement robs me of joy, so instead, I began to focus on what is bringing me contentment right now at this very moment. I jotted anything and everything that came to mind. Coincidentally, I was listening to my writing music (always something instrumental) and the song, “Ode to Joy” began to play. Are you familiar with this song? It was an ode written in 1785 by a German poet. Beethoven then composed “Ode to Joy” in 1824 as the final movement of his most famous symphony, Symphony No. 9. A hymn was later written in 1907 set to Beethoven’s music from the 9^thsymphony.

 

Have a look at these lyrics:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

*****

What convicting and encouraging words! Fun fact: this song is meaningful to me because the pianist played it as my husband and I departed out the church after just becoming married 🙂

 

Here is a list (in no particular order) of what is currently bringing a smile to my face and my heart:

• Early morning and late afternoon walks
• The smell of coffee brewing
• Finches and doves at my bird feeder
• Roses in bloom
• Tony, my beloved
• Two little pups who follow me everywhere
• Books, so many books, stacks and ones on my bookshelf
• Vacation planning for an upcoming wedding anniversary
• My three children whom I adore
• Dear friends who have become like family
• Home church
• A blooming orchid on my desk
• The Next Right Thing Podcast
• Reconnecting with friends whom I haven’t seen in a long while
• Beautiful cookbooks to leaf through
• Reading on the back patio
• Chips and guacamole
• Kindness from a stranger
• Conversations that carry late into the night
• Date nights
• Freshly laundered sheets
• The sound of people worshiping together
• A soft leather tote bag
• Candles burning throughout my house
• Brightly colored pens
• My mom’s thoughtfulness

 

 

If you were to make a list of what brings you joy right now, what would you include? I would love to know.