Which came first; Joy or Gratitude?

Joy came to my home again this morning as it has every morning since late spring.  I call the hummingbirds that visit us each day simply "Joy" as I don't know their names and it seems rude to ask them to waiver from their tasks just to make formal introductions.  Besides, we've met before but it was in a very casual way. 

I was watering the flower bed around the single young tree in our backyard, and Joy hovered no more than two feet from me enjoying the bounty.  We both stayed on task and for several moments learned a bit about the nature of one another.  I felt no need to gawk at the Joy hovering so near to me, and Joy felt no need to cower from the sprinkling water or even my telephone conversation.  We simply knew that we were comfortable in each others presence.

Since that day, I have noticed that Joy comes more often and stays longer.  It's not uncommon to see Joy show up in pairs or even small clusters.  Today was especially lovely.  As I poured my morning coffee I noticed Joy having a small drink as well.  That's not unusual but for some reason I still fill up and spill over with gratitude each time we see one another.  As I walked from the kitchen back toward the bedroom, I noticed that Joy landed and took rest on one of the willowy branches of the tree.  I can't blame Joy for feeling comforted by Tree, as I have felt comforted many times by touching the leaves or sliding my fingers across the smooth outer covering of its limbs -- our "fingers" sort of intertwining momentarily.   It was magic to see Joy land.  I felt drawn to share my coffee with Joy and so I stood on my side of the glass door contentedly sipping away as Joy preened and groomed in the dappled sunlight.  It was a "complete" moment; one of those moments in life that needs nothing else to be perfect all on it's own.

In this moment I felt comforted by my gratitude for the small scrawny bed of ragtag flowers struggling and yet still blooming in spite of the extreme heat of the days and chill of the  desert nights.

I felt comforted by my gratitude for the wondrous young tree so willowy in it's development and yet offering shade and comfort to so much life that surrounds it in bustling daily activity.

I felt comforted by Joy itself coming to feel so much a part of the lives of my husband and I here in this area that can seem so desolate and yet is so full for all that will simply see.

For just a moment I let myself wonder if my uninhibited gratitude has brought Joy to feel so comfortable here, or if Joy has brought me such comfort that it has led to my gratitude for all that life has brought me.  Then I just slipped seamlessly back into morning routine.  How silly of me to wonder which came first; Joy or Gratitude.  Clearly "Joy" never leaves our home and for that, I am truly grateful.

I wish you every blessing,
Jordan

Sunday Services are held in the chapel every Sunday at Terra Nova Center11:00 am - 12:30 pm