Discovering joy in times of sorrow

      I recently came across this quote by Khalil Gibran: "When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." Joy is such a challenging feeling to embody, partly because much of what makes us sorrowful brings us joy, and much of what makes us joyful brings us sorrow. 
     How many times have you heard a confused child ask his weeping mother at a special occasion, "Why are you crying?", only to hear her respond, "These aren't sad tears, but rather, tears of joy"? And what a gift and a joy children are. But do they bring us pain and sorrow, sometimes even disappointment? I always think of those parents that have a child with a severe illness or disability. As much happiness as it has given them to see their child grow and develop, they still experience the grief of having to constantly maintain their child's health and well-being. Another example of this would be the young love we all experienced as teenagers. As much joy as it brings us to be in relationship with someone, it can often be complicated, causing more trouble than the relationship is probably worth.
     What I invite you to think of today is, not finding sorrow in your joy, but rather how you can find joy in times of trial and great difficulty. Instead of looking at the pain it is causing you, choose instead to be grateful for the support you are receiving from friends and family, the gifts that satisfy your bodily needs, and most importantly, God's presence and peace in the midst of it all. I challenge you to embrace your sorrows, for "in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."