"God is the Joy of my Soul"
"My Spirit Finds Joy in God my Savior"

These are the scriptures we have been reflecting on in preparation for the 21st Annual Charismatic Conference at Regina High School in Cleveland.

Where is the joy??? When we look around us do we see joyful people? When we look in the mirror, what do we see? Have we allowed ourselves to become anxious and impatient with others and ourselves?

We most likely experience joy when we purchase a new car, get a promotion, get married or give birth. These things bring joy, but it is not everlasting. It fades away with time. The car will get a dent; our promotion will bring bigger responsibilities. Even the most expensive wedding cake eventually dries up and children get into trouble.

So where does true joy come from? According to St. Francis of Assisi, true joy comes from patiently waiting on the Lord at all times and in all situations.

1The story goes like this: Francis says "Brother Leo write down what true joy!" Francis continues, "I return from a preaching mission and arrive here in the dead of the night: and it is wintertime, muddy and so cold that icicles have formed on the edges of my habit and keep striking my legs, and blood flows from such wounds, and all covered with mud and cold. I come to the gate, and after I have knocked and called for some time, a brother comes and asks ’Who are you?’ I answer ’Brother Francis.’ And he says ’Go away; this is not a proper hour for going about; you may not come in.’ And when I insist, he answers: ‘Go away, you are a simple and a stupid person; we are so many and we have no need of you. You are certainly not coming to us at this hour’. And I stand again at the door and say: ‘For the love of God, take me in tonight.’ And he answers: ‘I will not. Go to the Crosiers’ place and ask there.’ I tell you this: If I had patience and did not become upset, there would be true joy in this and true virtue and the salvation of the soul."

Do we posses this kind of joy? Do we want to?

When Mary said "Yes" she didn’t think about the trials or the consequences she would face. She LOVED GOD so she said "YES". With that, she experienced joy and perfected joy.

Are you up for the challenge??

This coming August 9th and 10th we will have a chance to come together and proclaim, "God is the Joy of My Soul". I would like to encourage everyone to make a sacrifice of time to meet the Lord on this weekend. We are busy about many things and we tend to put God on hold. We can clutter our lives with so much "stuff" that we loose sight of what the real meaning of life is and with that, we could be headed for trouble.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. God is waiting to be the "Joy of your Soul". You won’t be disappointed God will be working powerfully, but you need to be ready and open for that. Please pray for our conference, the speakers and all of us who work behind the scenes. We need God and each other more than ever. God will be at Regina High School blessing His people, please don’t miss this great opportunity to receive His transforming grace.

1Taken from "Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order" pg. 79

Peace and all Goodness,

Sally Hudgins,

Conference Committee