There’s nothing that brings joy like a sweet childhood memory.

Grandma and Grandpa.  They loved their road trips.  I loved their company.

Knee deep in strawberry plants, Grandma and I would eat from every other step as we loaded up our baskets.  Rain or shine, we hit the fields a few times every summer while Grandpa lounged in the car listening to the Chicago Cubs game and reading the newspaper.  Most likely he would take a snooze.

Before we took the long way home, it was always the long way because Grandpa never took the interstate, we would have several cups of Tang from the drink cooler and shoved more delicious berries into our mouths.

I would sit in the backseat surrounded by baskets of sweetness and doze off to the joy of spending time with some of my favorite people.

As an adult with four children of my own, I like to think of that old lady surrounded by her precious great-grandchildren… rosy round smiles, crescent laughing eyes and love bursting out.  Spoiled.  That’s what my children and husband would be.  Happy and fat.  Full of sweet treats.  Love and joy!

Grandma and Grandpa passed well before my children were thoughts, but I believe that they will be spoiled in Heaven one day.  Grandma is waiting with her banana bread and Grandpa with his baseball stories.

I miss them.  I shed a tear fondly remembering them, but feel joy as the pictures in my mind bring me home.

Joy.

“The Fruit of the Spirit is… joy…”  Galatians 5: 22

Sometimes hard to grasp when you face the trials of life, while wading through thoughts of why…. Why?  Why is she prettier and liked more?  Why is that non-believer have a clear path through life while I have to pull the weeds along the way?  Why do their kids listen better?  Why is her husband promoting while mine works harder for less?  Why does his family look so happy when mine bickers so much?  Why?

But, joy… I struggled with this for several years and after I just gave up and gave it to God, ALL OF IT, joy came!  It overflowed!  It ran down the mountains and through the fields and into the ocean… It flowed!  I may seem down at times and I do admit that I struggle with anxiety and depression, but I have joy in that I know that He loves me!  He saved me!  One day I will be with Him and all other things will come to pass.  Joy!

Romans 15: 13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

So, joy comes to you this day from strawberries and a young child’s perception of what they bring… joy!

The following delicious smoothie is claimed to be “the BEST smoothie ever!”  I will take that as fact and move on.

Since I just threw stuff in to taste, I will be putting a round about amount of ingredients here for you.

Best Ever Smoothie:
1 1/2 cups of strawberries
1 medium banana
2 cups of almond milk
2 packets of Truvia

Yum… Joy!

 

And as an added bonus, a song!  Take a listen as you sip The Best Smoothie Ever.