One of my most profound experiences of joy came on a day when I was jobless, in debt, no community, and was one step up from what I like to call my rock bottom. If we allow Him, God will meet us in our emptiness; God will meet us at rock bottom. We come to know joy the moment we realize we were created with intention, with purpose and for a purpose, with unique gifts by a Creator who has good plans for us. We come to know joy when we realize we will never be more loved than we are in that very moment, and nothing can separate us from that love. When we come face to face with our Creator, we come to know joy.

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It’s not about what we get

or the places we will go.

What it’s really about is joy,

the joy we all long to know. 

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Joy isn’t known in having it all

or even having a lot.

It’s in gratitude we can know joy—

being thankful for what we’ve got.

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I recall a day from the distant past;

life was really tough.

All I had was the blooming flowers,

yet somehow that was enough. 

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A flower doesn’t bloom for me,

and it doesn’t bloom for you. 

A flower blooms for her own joy,

the way God created her to.

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When we begin to bloom

like we were created to do,

when we express ourselves like a flower,

we can know joy too.

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Flowers bloom, stars shine,

and trees grow very tall.

When we point to our Creator just as nature,

joy can be known by all.

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A flower won’t stop blooming

because of the pouring rain.

A flower blooms in the midst of a storm;

she grows in-spite of her pain.

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A flower won’t compete with others;

that’s just not her style.

She doesn’t have to be the prettiest in the garden

to wear a pretty smile. 

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A rose will still bloom in a field of tulips,

because that’s what flowers do.

When we choose to bloom where we’re planted,

we can know joy too.

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Knowing joy is the greatest gift,

I really must admit.

So I’ll heed these lessons from a blooming flower,

I wouldn’t dare forget.

“Knowing Joy” is available for purchase in my Etsy Shoppe and EBay Store.

kamillestreasures.etsy.com

eBay.com/usr/kamillegrace16