Summer Fashion

Bought a new pair of sandals last week.

Not 'strappy', not high heeled, not cute, not fashion-savvy...

They simply feel good and allow me to walk/bike/play in cool comfort.

(I must be getting older. Fashion has always steered my footwear choices. Now I get practical?)

Some wisdom comes simply with age...I'm probably 'behind' in this life lesson. (Not that I've traded in all my  fashionable shoes----oh, no---plenty of opportunities to enjoy being feminine with my footwear!)

As I age, I've also learned that seeking happiness....well, that pursuit is overrated and empty.

Chasing the frivolous, fickle feelings of pleasure, amusement, or fun is disappointing. 

Happiness disappears as quickly as a teenage son on chore mornings.

Happiness is like costume jewelry worn by Princess Kate; why bother with such triviality when the crown jewels are at your disposal?

Instead, joy...God's gift of eternal optimism rooted in Him...that is my chosen adornment..and ongoing prayer. 

But, what does Joy wear? 

Unlike the straightforward, simple essence of happiness, which demands favorable conditions, joy can look a multitude of different ways and appear in all circumstances.

Joy can don many, very different outfits.

Joy can wear a bold sun hat, flip flops and sundress when circumstances are sunny, warm and pleasant.

Listen to her laugh!

But joy can also show up in the most somber of events, wearing her funeral black, the tweed of suffering, or the subdued hues of disappointment’s blazer and low heels.

Joy can pull off the dazzle of sequins at another’s success, the strappy heels at milestone blessings like 50^th birthdays and 25^th anniversaries.

“Hurrah!” she applauds.

But joy can also wear baby blue footies and burp cloth at the weary but grateful reception of another baby born, even while sleepless nights and frantic, frazzled days loom ahead—still, joy is present!

Joy wears an itsy, bitsy, teeny weeny, yellow polka dot bikini on her honeymoon, but also soft flannel during periods of marriage’s winter. For joy is still there, donning her comfortable slippers. She knows, like the weather, the changing seasons of a relationship are part of God’s good plan, too.

Joy is quick to share herself with others: a scarf to add the splash of color to another’s bad hair day, an umbrella to shelter a friend from life’s pounding rain, or a hand to offer in support when another’s joy is at the cleaner’s.

Joy hands out hope like a Mary Kay lady hands out lipstick samples.

”Enjoy my bounty, won’t you, please?!!”

Perhaps, most significantly,

Joy wears a peaceful smile and often and repeatedly gazes upward.

Whenever she’s invited and whatever clothing she wears, joy knows her power and impact come not from mere demonstration of smiles, laughter, words of positive affirmation or baseless optimism, but from something—Someone—bigger.

Joy’s most important item of adornment is the gold cross she wears always and prominently around her neck.

She knows—without the cross there would be no joy.

But for any who’ve embraced the cross, joy is always invited and can always attend.

Dressed for any occasion.