The ice cold water is sliding over the rocks and down into a shady pool where it re-groups as if to gain its breath, then before it can pause any longer, rushes headlong over another narrow ledge. There is a light moss growing on the smooth rock but it never gets the chance to grow any more as the water constantly washes over it dashing off to the right and to the left as it follows the curvature of the rock. The sunlight plays with the water creating little bubbles of shine that bounce against each other as they chase each other over the smoothness of the rock and try to be first into the rocky pool below.

When the sun goes behind the clouds the sparkle disappears but the movement continues and there is a new feeling of calm as the shadows gently reach out and play with the water in the same way as the sunlight was a few moments before. Even as the cold wind starts to whistle through the trees the water continues to bubble and play joyfully over the rocks refusing to be slowed down by the changing conditions all around.

This joy bubbles and flows within me when the sun is shining and things are going well but even more touching is the way it continues when the sun disappears and the cold winds of life's disappointments start to blow through my life. When I am tempted to give up as conditions around me deteriorate I have the assurance that the river of the Holy Spirit's joy continues to blow, babbling its way across the rocky surface of my mind playing with the shadows and providing new refreshment and life.

This is joy: Deeper more lasting, more alive than mere happiness or laughter. Refreshing and lighthearted when the sun is shining yet still there, reassuring and trustworthy when the clouds come in and the wind blows cold.