Filled with Joy

The sun beats down on me as I kneel, scrunched beneath a tree for hiding.  The text comes through, I can see them, walking over now.  They play frisbee, carefree, relaxed, excited to simply be enjoying unexpected time together; a gift to never be taken for granted.  The frisbee escapes into the water lying quietly beside them.  The moment is perfect.  Cody sneaks into his bag to slip out the ring box, Sue occupied with stick in hand rescuing the lone frisbee.  Cody comes to her aide, sweet whispers enter her ear, as he then drops to one knee.  Smiles erupt, laughter follows, joy fills the air, as even the trees and water express their joy.  

After this beautiful proposal, I asked Cody and Sue to describe to me their relationship and what they found attractive/valuable within each other.  What followed was more beautiful than the rest.  Sue described how she so loved, admired and adored the way that Cody loves and serves the Lord and the people that he encounters within his life.   For Sue, Cody gushed on how he is continually blessed by Sue's overwhelming joy.  Joy.  What a beautiful trait to be filled with.  These two are bonded by so much more than just love, but also by admiration, respect, longing, and the truest desire to serve the Lord with all that they are. 

Romans 15: 13 says this: 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" 

After spending only a short while with these two, I do not believe I have ever seen a more selfless form of love between two people.  Both, running with their beautiful and unique stories fully towards the Lord and allowing Him to bless the rest.  The joy between them was contagious and I truly left feeling more blessed than ever.  The way these two love others and serve is truly a radical testimony of their  love and hope.  I can only imagine how beautiful their life is going to be together now!  I know that they will bless this world beyond measure and make lasting impacts for the course of eternity.  And I have not even mentioned how gorgeous Sue is, both inside and out!! Their wedding day is going to be one for the books!! Congratulations Sue and Cody!  Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of such an incredible moment in your lives and for blessing me to the core in the process.  Grab hold of joy in this life my friends, be filled with it, renewed by it, for it will truly being you lasting hope, thus releasing the chains and bonds and allowing you to live the fullest life there is, one of freedom and bliss.