Joy is... growing up in a safe and loving community. These next two weeks feature the same guest, my aunt Dr. IJ Routen. Dr. Routen is a Little Rock native, though she is no stranger to the world. She has lived on both coasts and even abroad and has mastered the art of joy. Growing up with her around was very interesting. She always made good use of her nieces and nephews (and does to this day). In every encounter, there is a lesson, a goal, a reason why. Her house is full of instruments and art, and supplies to make art. There are pictures of family members and a story behind every picture. As a Black woman who grew up among Black professionals, at a time when media would want us to believe that elegance, beauty, and intellect were only things possessed by the White middle and upper classes in the early 20th Century, my aunt lived amongst the teachers, academics, doctors, postal workers and other professionals of Little Rock, AR. Her's was an experience unlike what we've been privy. I wonder why? (Indeed)

When she turned 75 this past November, we had a very sobering conversation about what may come in the next 25 or so years and it was during that conversation that I realized that she is a woman who is full of joy. Life and circumstances, especially in the aftermath of all that the world has had thrown at it, have nothing on James 1:2-8:

2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We can all learn a little about counting it all joy. I hope you enjoy this episode. There's a surprise at the end, and be sure to complete the sentence "Joy is" on any of the following social media platforms, and be sure to follow and like!

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