Melodies

Melodies go on

 "Good morning Melody," Jessalyn greeted me as I walked towards the main fire pit. 

 "Good morning Jessalyn," I replied cheerfully.

 "Wow, you're sure cheerful this morning," Jessalyn commented. I just smiled. I had been doing it since I woke up, and for good reason too. After what happened last night, I couldn't help but feel joyful. I could feel God's presence and felt as if my problems could never touch me again. Boy was I ever wrong. 

That day we had a bunch of things going on. We had a Retreat of Solitude for about an hour and a half. Then lunch and after lunch we had a Team development activity (TDA). Later that afternoon we had a session that Emery lead. It was on God's love. I listened attentively as she spoke, soaking up every word she said. I just couldn't get enough. I was on fire for God! 

 Later that evening Emery walked up to me and asked if I wanted to go for a walk with her. I said "sure". As we walked Emery started asking me some questions. 

 "So Melody, how's it been going today?" 

 "Amazing! I feels so good about myself right now!" I exclaimed.

 "That's great to hear! I know you've been struggling a lot this past week with anxiety and depression. But just so you know, this feeling you have right now probably won't last," Emery explained. 

 "Why wouldn't it last! I'm a Christian now, Christians are always happy!" I replied. 

 "Actually we're not. Even though we have God inside us, we're not always happy. Bad things still happen and we get hurt. Being a Christian doesn't mean that everything is going to be perfect, God didn't promise that. He said that we would have trials, but promised that we can find joy in the midst of it all. Joy and happiness are not the same thing. Happiness is an emotion while Joy is a fruit of the spirit. It doesn't fade away, it's our grounding, it's always there," Emery explained. I listened but didn't really believe her. How was I supposed to think beyond my happiness and think about having Joy. I thought I had Joy, that's what I thought.