In Sunday School last week, the teacher asked, “What is a moment of joy you experienced in some event in your life?” I have thought about that question over this last week. It was as hard to choose just one event or moment. Some of them were great events. I felt real joy when I got married. I felt great joy when I confessed Jesus as Savior and Lord and became a Christian. I felt joy at the birth of my daughters and the birth of my grandchildren. I felt joy at my ordination to the ministry. I felt joy in the brief moments of life and the feel of a mittened hand in mine, the sweetness of a good night kiss, the savor of a perfect meal, the thrill of a beautiful anthem, the thunderous roar of a great church organ, the contentment of time around the campfire, the beauty of sunrise over the mountains, the holy silence of worship, the quiet presence of a loved one in the same room, and the laughter at a shared table. I have even experienced joy in the most unusual moments. Joy has come to me during a funeral service at the memory of an encounter with the one who has passed away, and at the encouragement of those who I visited intending to encourage them. In great ways and in small ways joy can burst into our lives. Recently my wife and I had our second injection of the Moderna vaccine for Covid-19. Injections are no ones’ favorite thing, but as we left the site after the suggested fifteen minute wait time after the injection, I was struck by relief and then by joy as I realized after more than a year that we can now plan visits to our children and grandchildren safely. I know there is still more care needed ahead, but I found joy in knowing that we are on the way toward a better tomorrow. There is still joy in life and joy in the Lord.