Fruit of the Spirit: Joy...
For the past 8 years I have lived close enough to the school that I can walk. That means I am one of the ones that is able to walk over and help shovel the school parking lot after snow storms. This position has created many fond memories over the years of working shoveling with a small group of us, going inside to warm up with hot chocolate and muffins, talking to neighbors as they walk past on the street, helping people get their cars unstuck from the plow piles. An activity that I have always liked doing. This does not mean that my muscles don’t start to twitch when it sees those first snowflakes, knowing what is about to come.
This past fall when doing some cleaning out of an old supply room, I came across a small machine I had never seen before. After some investigating I found that it was a snow blower, and with a little bit of tinkering I got it fired up and a smile broke out across my face. A micro example of Joy. It was a smile that was brought on because of the hope that I had for the snowblower to help ease the burdens of our team's backs on heavy snows like this. That smile returned when I fired it up for its first real test in this snowstorm. Shooting snow up onto a pile 8 feet high with ease, leaving perfectly bare concrete laying underneath.
Biblical Joy is of course something more permanent, but it is based on the same principle, an undying hope for the future. While happiness and sadness come and go, good times and rough patches pop up, Joy is the constant. It can look different in different seasons but it is the fuel that keeps us motivated. The trust in the hope that no matter how bad a season feels it will get better. A bewilderment that no matter how good a season is it will get even better. It is a trait that you can’t help but pick up on in an environment like MOA where you are surrounded by children. Children who have a deep connection with Joy that allows them to bounce up quickly in rough moments and revel in the great moments.
As we age more and more distractions creep in trying to steal this Joy. Trying to distract us from the hope that we have. The hope that we believe in. The hope that in the end every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, and every nation will come to the Kingdom to follow God, their King and Creator. The hope for the present that we have, that we are invited into God’s plan for ushering that time into fruition and helping establish His Kingdom here on earth as in Heaven. Don’t forget your hope, and you won’t forget your Joy.
Ethan Essex
Mighty Oak Supplies Lists!!!
As we start our Spring Semester we are looking again at our supplies for the rest of the year. If you would like to support through purchasing supplies, it’s not too late. You can find those lists here:
Supply Wishlist: https://a.co/4IDGPaN
Snack List: https://a.co/g4DnQYr
Merriment Online!!
If you are missing browsing our shelves, don’t fret, there are plenty of ways to browse online. To view our ebay store click here. If you want to view our larger items visit our Facebook Marketplace here. We are still accepting donations, if you would like to donate call (502) 930-9006. Check out one of this week’s featured items below, we have a whole selection of woodworking items for the woodworker in your life.
Fish Fry Closed!!!
Due to the state of the parking lot, the Fish Fry will be closed today to help keep our community safe from slips and falls. Look forward to seeing you next week.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.