You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

— Psalm 16:11

She was young and pregnant and out of options. When she arrived at the home for single moms, she was not thrilled and wanted to take on the world alone. Or at least that is what she said. Beneath the façade was someone who longed for a family, a house with a yard for kids to play in, and a husband who would love her. She wanted happiness. She wanted all that the movies told her was possible.

When that story wasn’t working out the way she expected, she discovered something different. She learned that Jesus loved her and that his plan for her was different from what she had thought. She started to listen and change, and she discovered there was a difference between happiness and joy. She began to realize, as she let God lead her, that he was giving her joy. The Lord’s steadfast care and strength would get her through the days of being a single mom. It became the foundation that her new family would build on.

This is true for all of us. The more we head in the direction of faith with our eyes and heart open, asking God to guide us, the more we find joy in the Lord’s steadfast care and strength. We find encouragement to live into our real life today and to set fairytale dreams aside.

Father, thank you for show­ing us the path of life and filling us with joy. Help us to pay attention and be teachable so that we can enjoy each day with you. Amen.