I try to capture it for you, I really do. I collect words to frame my happiness, but they are unwieldy and inadequate. I take pictures, but those thin slices can't contain the real sweetness that is my life.

So why continue? Why am I compelled in all that I write and say and do to express that joy? I used to think it was because I am a Writer. Born to share, helpless to stop myself.

But that's not the case. It really has nothing to do with me at all. It is because the blessings have been poured into me until I can't contain them. My cup overflows. How cliche does that sound? How chicken-soup-for-the-soul? Is there no better explanation?

No.

Simply stated, the joy in my life comes from my relationship with God. It's not because I have a healthy self esteem. Or well behaved kids. Or a college education. It's not because I have a wonderful family, or because I have money, or health or success.

Those things- they come and go. Sometimes my kids are not so good. Sometimes I feel rotten about myself. Sometimes bad things happen to my family. And I certainly don't have money.

The circumstances of my life are not the cause of my joy. Circumstances change in the blink of an eye. Sometimes we're up, sometime's we're down. But always - ALWAYS- I find myself immersed in Goodness that comes from somewhere else.

Being a Christian doesn't mean that bad things don't happen. It doesn't mean that you don't have troubles. As a matter of fact, I bet Christians have more troubles and struggles trying to live in this world when we belong to another.

So what's the catch? Why follow the narrow path?

The gifts that God has given mankind, all of us- laughter, children, freedom, creativity, curiousity, beauty (this list goes on forever), they can only hint at the deeper blessings that await His children. The laughter is fuller, the freedom is greater, the beauty more startling. His blessings are immeasurable to those that belong to Him.

I can't be silent in the face of such benevolence. In every way, I want to proclaim the joy and peace to be found in Him. That is what compels me. The irresistable urge to praise our Creator with the simple tools I've been given. Human effort can never do justice, our attempts are meager and silly and wrought with error. But our gifts to God are treasures to Him. Like children, we bring our macaroni art, our handprint turkeys, our goofy drawings... and God is pleased.

Imperfect and flawed to be sure, but His, utterly.