Looking for Faces = Seeking Joy

From August Writing Retreat: Post #8 (join us for feedback and clarification)

Below is part of an insta-draft of Lacking Nothing: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith. I’m posting material from our August writing retreat to get feedback & clarity. Please support by becoming a paid subscriber (only $8).

Photo by nine koepfer on Unsplash

Looking for Faces

Searching and scanning the crowd, the four-year-olds came out the door one by one with their little backpacks on and their crafts in hand.

Anticipating the dismissal of the half-day camp for preschoolers, parents and other siblings spread along the pathway outside the nature preserve education center. Little brother Tennyson and I (Cyd) were waiting. 

Every day for five days, Tennyson would spot his big brother. His face would light up. He would shout, “Soren!” and run to him and hug him. And Soren’s face would light up seeing his little brother, wanting to show Tennyson what he had made. And I’m sure my face was beaming with delight as I saw the joy shared between them.  

When Soren looked up and saw my shining face, he couldn’t help but smile back at me, making me smile even more. 

We are always looking at faces, scanning their response to us, searching for clues. And whether we consciously know it or not, we are hoping to see a face full of joy.

We’re seeking joyful connection. That’s what we all want – whether we know it or not.

Joy: An Emotion Like No Other

Soren experienced joy because Tennyson was excited to see him. I experienced joy watching the joy between them. And both boys experienced joy in seeing my delight in their reunion.

This was a joyful connection. 

So what is joy? 

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