One of my favorite memories will always be working in a food pantry come Christmas time.

The tiny area, packed with people, was the highlight of my year. I watched, as families from every walk of life and every socio-economic status were able to find joy in the little things. Whether it was laughing about the goofiness of volunteers or just everyday occurrences, here were people who had been to hell and back and yet were full of joy. The ability to laugh in the face of hardship is incredible.

True joy is not the masking of pain or the delusional ignorance of it, but rather the acknowledgement of it, whilst also not handing fear the reins. So, in a practical sense for myself, it means finding joy amidst the nerve-wracking college process. To be able to look back and be thankful for the endless hours my Mom has spent proofreading, the teachers who have taught me for years, and the God who has provided time and time again. For so many the holidays are reminders of family members who have passed on, the inability to buy gifts, or even strained relationships, but here's my challenge: Let's laugh in the face of hardship this holiday season.

We can acknowledge the difficulty of situation or relationship, without letting the subsequent negativity control our lives. But we have to be able to rejoice when God provides for us. Consider Isaiah 9:3:

“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.”

So let us give from the fullness of our joyful hearts this holiday season, and desire to seek light in dark places.