SENTINEL WATCH October 27, 2008 Issue

JOY — EVEN ON DARK DAYS

ANNETTE BRIDGES

EVEN AS THE TV SCREEN flashed images of raging water, a flood survivor was able to express humor in the midst of his own catastrophe. I was impressed.

A reporter was interviewing this man as he stood on his home's second-floor balcony. A swollen river had submerged his first floor. The reporter made the statement that this man's town was under water and everyone appeared to have left. And the man chuckled and jokingly responded, "Yes, my town's population is now only one." Never during the conversation was there an apparent sense of doom. Instead, the man went on to share his confidence that he'd surely recover and rebuild.

As I think about this one story, I continue to be inspired by that man's upbeat attitude and expectation. And I ask myself, How can I better practice joy on dark days?