Unexpected Joy

“We’re expecting.”

There was silence on the line as she processed what she had heard. I was waiting, not wanting to crowd her thoughts, allowing her space for joy to build. This would be her first grandchild.

I pulled the phone away from my ear as I turned and smiled at my wife. We could both hear the joyful cries as though we had crossed the many miles and delivered the news in person.

Almost 19 years have passed since that phone call, and it still makes me smile.

Joy is, well, joyful, even when we’re expecting it. When expected, joy has a way of filling a space we had prepared. We look for it, and then it comes, and we rejoice at its arrival. Joy, when expected, bring a fulfilment to our experience.

But unexpected joy, well, there is glory hidden in this mystery. For God is prone to unearthing treasure from hidden places, joy from places we could not anticipate.

I have marvelled at Naomi’s transformation over the short story of redemption in Ruth.

“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty.” — Ruth 1:20-21

“Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” — Ruth 4:14-15

Joy may yet spring from bitter wells, and when it does, we’ll hold the phone away from our ear and laugh with one another in wonder. Joy from unexpected places creates celebration worthy of the courts of heaven where even a lamb can be a lion.