Felicity- Such a beautiful word. It is defined by Webster as "the quality or state of being happy" however I cannot help but think this state of joy and bliss can hardly be understood by confining it to mere words or definitions. Rather, its meaning can be derived best from experience. It is that moment that pulls at your heart strings and causes joy to well up inside until it radiates from every fiber of your being. Or that instance in which you cannot contain the infectious smile that forms across your face and a sheen of fresh tears glisten over your eyes blurring the world only slightly.
Although there is much pain in the world and imperfections, there are moments one can experience great felicity that serve as a mere foretaste of the glorious day when Eden is restored. Despite the brokeness and depravity of this earth, the Lord is our source of joy and through him, we experience peace and have hope that sustains us through the trials and hardships in life. But amidst this life, the Lord has given us a generous sprinkling of blissful times that induce felicity on this earth. What first comes to mind is the joy and happiness I receive from working with elementary students downtown in an after school facility. Most of these students come from family lives that are very different from my own up bringing and they crave attention and praise. Through these kids, I have been blessed beyond belief. It never ceases to warm my heart as I walk through the door and they run over and wrap their tiny arms around my waist. It reminds me of my own childhood as I would go to my mother and she would envelop me in a loving embrace and sooth my worries and fear, and reinforce her love for me. It was in those very arms I felt love, security, safety, peace, and contentment. I realized that although some of these students may not have parents who can embrace them, they have a Heavenly Father who stands with arms outstretched longing for their hearts to turn to Him. In His arms only does true love and peace that eradicates all fear exist.
There is truly nothing sweeter than watching a child learn. Most weeks I work with the same student and it has been such a rewarding thing to see his face light up when he gets the right answer or finally understands a concept in math. I often wonder if this is a minuscule picture of how the Lord feels about me when I finally listen to his voice and understand his truths. The greatest picture of this is seen in Zephaniah 3:17. It says "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing". How truly incredible it is to know that the Lord delights in us and rejoices just as I rejoice over a right math answer or completed homework assignment done by the student.
Whether I am explaining WW2 with what limited knowledge of history I possess, playing tag with eight precious children until my sides ache from laughing, or simply listening to the stories these children long to share, I experience true felicity. As I was reading an article the other day, I came across a phrase that I cannot stop thinking about. With simplicity and much profundity the author implored the reader to bloom where you are planted. Although there are a million things to be involved in, especially at college, I believe the Lord has me at Samford, in Phi Mu, in my small group, and volunteering with these kids for a purpose. It is my desire to not take these things for granted or try to search for the "greener grass" elsewhere, but simply have joy in the context he has planted me in and serve him faithfully here. If you are reading this, I hope you too can look at your surroundings with fresh eyes and find joy in the places you are called to and live as a shining light for the Lord experiencing felicity each day.
