Joy

Today is my birthday. As is our usual practice, a prayer was offered for my intentions. The sisters thanked God for the gift of my life and for my simple and joyful presence. I was keeping myself from crying as the prayer was said. What an irony. Joy.

I am in a rough time right now that I find myself uttering this prayer several times a day: Lord, just let me get through this moment.

I do not ask God to take away the suffering, but just to give me a little respite or I will break.

Joy. What is joy, after all?