A Song of Great Joy!

by Susan Bradbury

There she sits…alone in the corner—huddled in a wrap threadbare and torn…

Slowly she rocks back and forth humming or muttering, I cannot tell—her head in her hands, drooping eyes full of tears, she draws her shawl up closer to her chin to keep the cold out—to keep the warmth in…

Her shoulders shudder as she shakes off the cold; the tears down her face continue to roll…

The wind swirls loose leaves around her feet. Her chest heaves—and she lets out a sigh.

Shyly, she hides her face from the ones passing by—veiled in tears, she hesitantly lifts her head as one
approaches, who sees her heart instead.

His face shines with radiant tenderness. With gentle hands, He touches the lock of hair that has fallen over her eyes.

She looks up, and to her surprise, He’s smiling—His eyes lock with hers; the gaze that looks down to her very soul is warm and inviting.

Her lips quiver…Does she remember how to smile? Does she dare to try? What will He say?

All these thoughts flash through her mind…He read her
thoughts…his smile grows bigger and wider as He kneels down beside her.

Gently, He says, “Arise, come—let me love you. I will care for you!”

She finds herself standing; raised up with ease; even her heart is free—her countenance is changed.

He takes her arm in His; they begin to walk…He throws back His head in laughter. His voice rings out, “I love you, my daughter. I will teach you how to again rejoice and dance, and I will clothe you with radiance.”

She looks down and sees that with each step she takes,
she has changed! Her face now holds a smile; her clothes are new and glistening.

She looks to His face—a nod of approval is all that He can manage, because of the laughter still rolling out of His mouth—she begins to giggle…hesitantly, she lets herself laugh.

Soon she begins to feel waves of joy singing through her—a song of great joy!