Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Joy in Spite of it All

Read: James 1:2-6

It’s interesting how different the experience of Shelter Week can be from year to year – or from day to day, for that matter. Sometimes our guests are very quiet. Sometimes they’re friendly and outgoing (I remember playing cards for hours with one lady a few years ago). Sometimes you almost don’t even know they’re there. This year we seemed to have a pretty friendly, talkative group.

Heidi and I spent Monday night at the church – fortunately for everyone, after the power had been restored and the building was getting warm again – and it was, as always, a night to remember.

There was a small group of ladies gathered near the fireplace, talking about everything and anything. It was such fun to hear them express the joy they were experiencing. One lady came in from the hallway and exclaimed that there were books on the children’s bookshelf out there that she had read as a child. Dr. Seuss was lovingly remembered by the whole group.
Then one of the ladies by the fire remarked how she loved watching the flames – the way they move and change shape and color. Another replied how watching the water was the same – always changing, always giving you something new to see.
There were also earnest conversations about spiritual matters, about dealing with their pastor, about dealing with other folks in their church. (There was even a special prayer area set aside in the parlor near the bay window where one lady spent a lot of time on her knees and with her Bible.)

Listening to the ladies at Shelter Week sharing their joy gave me joy too – and when I stopped to think about their living situations, it was all the more amazing.
It made it blindingly obvious that Joy comes from the Lord, not from our circumstances. As David wrote in Psalm 30:4-5:

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

What a blessing to see these ladies living out their morning joy throughout the day and night.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings of Love, Grace, Peace, and Joy. May we live in the light of all You have given us, and all You continue to give us. Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere