Our Grand Midwest Tour: Joy

Driving away from our “farm family” in Illinois, it was only a few miles before we were in Indiana where we discovered (after an extremely thorough and prayerful search) that Cindy did not have her driver’s license. But we were thankful to God that she had gotten a good deal with the rental car that allowed for two designated drivers. That meant that I would be driving, at least until Cindy had her license back. (More on this in future posts—it’s a good story.)

A few hours later, we landed at Steve and Meg’s house near Louisville, Kentucky. It was a joyful reunion for us and another birthday party for Cindy at Havana Rumba! We had a sweet time catching up with each other, and then after dinner, the five of us were off together on the next leg of our journey to Frankfort. But I will pause a moment here to explain why it is such a “joy” to have this couple for our friends.

We’ve known about Steve and Meg for many years. And although we did not know them well personally, we recognized our mutual love for God, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Word—the source of all our joy. I believe that God brought us together during some very trying times for all four of us, so that we could strengthen and encourage each other in the Word of God. We continued to search the scriptures for God’s answers of peace in the face of some spiritually dark and deceptive challenges, but He never failed to show us His way.

Here are a few scriptures that speak beautifully of the joy we experienced.

Jeremiah 15:16:
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

Isaiah 55:10-12:
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

And from the beginning of our friendship to this day, Steve’s dry sense of humor and self-chuckling manner always brings a smile, and Meg’s enthusiasm balanced with her sharp wit consistently draws a hearty laugh. The joy of the Lord is our strength!

Psalms 5:11:
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalms 35:27:
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Our visit to Kentucky had brought us together once again, to fully enjoy the fellowship of those “lovely and acceptable” to God our Father (Ephesians 1:4). We drove together to Frankfort and the joy continued. The trip was full of merry hearts, and that did us all good like a medicine.

Zephaniah 3:17:
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

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