What gives me the most joy now?? Well, I was thinking how I love to see our children together laughing ...enjoying each others company. And the thing that makes me the saddest, seems to be when they are at odds with one another. And I think they feel the same way about both Dad and Mom ...though they may not want to speak of it, perhaps fearing the mention of it may draw more attention to any conflict and dwelling on it, instead of allowing the natural course of God's work in us to bring us to kiss and makeup.

Yet, our oldest son did answer the most correctly when I asked each member of the family what brought them the most joy.  He said, "That Jesus died for our sins!"

And this could not be more correct.  Whether we realize it, or not ---or whether we are focusing on it at this present moment, or not ---it is absolutely true. Because Jesus died for our sins, the forgiveness is extended towards us ...in His greatest expression of love.

Not realizing this, not accepting this fact, and not appreciating this awesome gift ...does not allow us to tend to it or receive the Light. Not only will we not have healthy growth, but it will cause us to wilt and be conditioned for death.