Splashes of joy

                      Just a few random splashes of joy:
      The Broughton Caps basketball team in the State finals in Chapel Hill.  We lost in a hard fought, close game, but, we got there!  There's great beauty in giving your all and leaving it all out there on the court.  Not to mention the joy it brought so many of us who cheered them on.  Way to go, Caps!

     And then there's the joy of taking pictures of our Broughton Caps golf team today on a sun-drenched March afternoon.  Here's just one with a couple of the guys and one of our coaches--trust me, it's hard not to love these guys!  (But there are a lot more of them to love--these are just a few of them--Stephen, Court, Harrison, Coach Elsaesser, and Kirkland)

      And there's our city league basketball team, the Hawks, coached by the world-famous, coach extraordinaire: John Hogan.  City League Champs!!  All the boys on both teams fought hard, were great sports, and all the fans cheered their hearts out but also were nothing but gracious and kind to one another.  One of those days that restored your faith in humanity!  Go Hawks!

   I have to include this one of the peanut gallery.  This is actually the golf brigade that came over to cheer for the Hawks in the finals!  What can I say--another splash of joy!

  And continuing with the sports theme, there's also that very forgettable game when the Duke Blue Devils demolished our beloved Tar Heels... on our home court no less.  I'm trying hard to think of something positive to say.  umm, both teams had very nice uniforms and the warmups and the singing of the national anthem before the game began were fabulous. After that, it was all downhill.  But still, we love our Heels... and God is sovereign.  So thank You, Father, for the good and the... terrible.  But this was a sweet moment (before the game began... but there's always ice cream later so life is good)--

     My favorite picture from yesterday I'm thinking I better not include--since my daughter might kill me.  But imagine it: Janie sunbathing in the driveway with Moses sprawled out right beside her.  He looks even and happier and more relaxed to be soaking in those rays than she does.  But believe me, it's a picture that screams "Life is good!"--and I don't take it for granted.  Not one moment--all those little common splashes of joy that almost make us ache with the gift of living and breathing and seeing.  Nothing extraordinary--just reminders that each day is an irreplaceable, never-to-be-repeated gift from His hand.  Help us not to miss them, Lord.
     Thank You Jesus for the privilege of living in this world and enjoying Your goodness.  Thank You for splashes of joy.  Remind us in the darkness of all the light You have given us in the past... and will give us again.  Until You return, help us to live for Your glory and shine Your light.  Might we splash Your joy on those around us.  To God--our Joy Splasher--be all the glory.