It’s a question I’ve been asked by several people this past year plus that I’ve been focused on healing my soul, my heart, and my mind.
If you’re new to my blog, I am recovering from complex bereavement and post-traumatic stress disorder. This time a year ago, I became unable to continue. I had spent the last four years working in a homeless outreach ministry. I did not have the ability to go back in an environment that I had loved and cared deeply for others. So I took leave. Then, I simply left.
My friend John had asked me, “What brings you joy?” It was a question my therapist, Jeremy, had asked. “What brings you joy?” And then, a week or so ago, a spiritual director I met with asked me, “What brings you joy?”
In the first two incidences, I didn’t have an answer. At least, not one that I remember. It’s worth stating I’m not a forgetful person but not remembering has been a symptom of my struggle this past year.
I shared with Deirdré, my spiritual director, that animals brought me joy. Particularly, our cats. When our cat Rice curls up on my lap, I feel joy. I also feel joy giving my mom’s dog April a ride in my truck. The excitement and anticipation on her face brings me joy. Seeing my wife, Terri, smile brings me joy. Coffee brings me joy. Simple things bring me joy. Creating art brings me joy. Finding forgotten memories as I’m decluttering brings me joy.
At first, I was surprised that I’d been able to formulate an answer. I hadn’t been able to before. I took this as a good sign. I’m making progress, I thought. That brought me joy.
On Wednesday, as I ventured out to check the roads and run some errands, I met a homeless man named John camped out by the Office Depot. I walked over to him and introduced myself. We chatted for a bit. I brought him some chicken tenders from the Target next door. I prayed with him. This was the first time in a year that I was able to do something I once did nearly every day. Forward progress brought me joy.
What brings you joy?
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
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The Devotional Guy™ 
🙏 thank you, David, for that joyful reminder.
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Your experience with John, camped out by Office Depot, was no illusion, my brother! Whether it was a one time thing, or not, God knows. Remember that lady Christian comedian who wrote a book called, “God Uses Cracked Pots.”? That’s you and me, brother! I’ll stop preaching now.☺️
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Yes, keep it simple is a good motto to follow. Thanks so much for reading my post and sharing your thoughts, Dana! 🙏
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Ha! Some things just come naturally like that, David! I believe that at some stage of my life, joy came as naturally as preaching does (to you and I both)at times. While I find myself paying attention to reducing my penchant for preachiness, I also find myself striving to recognize joy which once came so easily. Perhaps, that’s all an illusion conjured up by my mind. Anyways, thank you for taking time to read my post and comment on it. 🙏
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As I read your joy list I was struck by often we find the most joy in the simple things of life. Thank you for sharing, Rainer!
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I agree with Dawn, who commented earlier. It takes courage to show such vulnerability, but it can bring healing to others. Like you, when I asked myself the question—“What brings you joy?” I don’t have an immediate answer.
Working with teachers and children brings me joy, but it can also be stressful. Playing my guitar and my new steel tongue drum brings me joy, with little to no downside. But I can’t do that for a living. I like to write, and it brings me joy when I know I’ve created something that God laid on my heart. This joy is compounded when one or two folks (sometimes more) tell me that God spoke to them and encouraged them through my words.
Of course, my wife and sons and dogs bring me joy.
Lot’s of food for thought here, brother. Thank you.
God Bless
PS. It’s also great that you were able to minister to the homeless man. God gives beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness. (Isaiah 61:3- NKJV)
Look at that! I commented long enough to start preaching!!
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Eileen, I so appreciate your honest vulnerability. Not every day is easier and recognizing that truth matters. For me, I’ve got to stay focused on the day in front of me.
I think the way you hold gratitude for even a little less pain and for the gift of each day you have together with your family, and Victoria in particular, is
profoundly beautiful. I will hold you and Victoria in prayer.
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Arix, thank you for reading my post. I’m grateful you noticed joy doesn’t always arrive loudly or on command. Naming it honestly felt important. I appreciate your kind words and the encouraging way you reflected it back to me with such care. 🙏
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This really stayed with me. I appreciate how honestly you name joy as something quiet and earned again, not forced. The way you describe noticing it returning in small, real moments feels grounded and true.
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Thank you for your kind words, not everyday has less pain for my daughter Victoria but any day that is a little less pain and to know that God gives us any day together is also joy
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These are all beautiful things, Dawn. Thank you for your response to my post. 🙏
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So transparent and vulnerable. Bless you for sharing. A few things bring me joy including: Being with my family. Traveling to new places/having new experiences. Writing/being creative. Giving back to others. Singing.
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Eileen, thank you so much for sharing this. Hearing that your daughter is experiencing less pain and that her laughter has returned is deeply moving. There are few sounds more sacred than that. The love surrounding her, shown through cards, messages, and birthday kindness, is such a beautiful reflection of God’s care made visible through others. And the way you speak of your daughters, your cats, and your service dog paints a clear picture of how richly your life is woven with love, even in the midst of hard things. Thank you for letting us glimpse what brings you joy. It feels like holy ground.
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My pleasure, Robert!
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Absolutely! Thanks, Rayla.
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My daughter who is chronically ill has less pain and I hear her laughter once again and when others reached out with messages of cards, gifts for her birthday to help her realize other cares brings me joy. Spending time with both of my daughters and realizing how God has blessed me with two wonderful daughters that brings me so much joy and of course our two cats and a service dog for my daughter that two brings me joy
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What a fabulous post.
May I respond with a post (in a few days) and link back to you, if thats ok to ask?
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Joy brings me joy (my wife’s called Joy!)! 🙂 Thanks for your joyful post 🙂
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