“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” — Proverbs 17:17
Joy often blooms in the soil of connection. God created us for community, and when we share life with others—family, friends, neighbors, even strangers—we experience a joy that cannot be found alone. A conversation over coffee, a kind word in passing, or a shared laugh in the midst of a hard day are reminders that love ties us together in ways that strengthen and sustain us.
Relationships, however, are not only about joy in the easy times. They are also where we find support during seasons of trial. A friend who listens when we are weary, a loved one who stands by us in grief, or a community that rallies in times of need—these become living testaments of God’s love. In walking alongside one another, joy is rediscovered even in the midst of hardship, reminding us we are never alone.
The joy of relationships is not measured by perfection, but by presence. When we invest in others with authenticity and grace, we open ourselves to a joy that deepens and grows. Whether in laughter or in silence, in celebration or in sorrow, the bonds of love God weaves between us reveal a joy that is both a gift and a calling: to love one another as Christ has loved us.