“I can’t stop laughing,” said my 8 year-old granddaughter. And her candy-coated laughter continued to erupt as she stayed on her feet while propelling us
in a jumbo bubble-wrapped balloon of plastic. Meanwhile I was on my knees trying to stand up (which is where I spent most of my time). Back at the starting point, tumbling out of the bubble’s door, we both wiped sweat from our foreheads. Her laughter burst on.
I giggled with her, her joy positively contagious (even though I wondered if I needed to call a chiropractor).
Ahh…Joy. Webster definition of this noun includes a feeling of great happiness. When was the last time you did joy? Sometimes it needs to be almost intentional, doesn’t it? Or we might feel we need to get our work done, our relationships right, our finances balanced before we allow ourselves to experience joy.
But….look here! How, in His word are we directed to do joy?
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.
He’s already approved what you do. You can do joy….now!
Doing joy could be making a cake, decorating a sugar cookie, drinking sweet tea on a park bench, visiting a bakery store with your favourite macaroons, or dining at that awesome ‘only the locals know about’ cafe.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
Joy could be doing a little bit of silly to make some happy, like having a (fun) battle at a wedding.
Joy could be doing a bit of crafting, to create something for a smile of another.
Joy may even be had after a long line-up for a once-in-a-life-time meet-up of Lightening McQueen.
Joy could be doing a little looking at some shiny bling, or in that moment strapping on that luggage for the road trip.
Joy could be in the doing of a little watching of feline creatures.
Or in taking the time, that moment, to pick up that hobby you’ve left behind (but oh so wants you to be happy).
And doing joy could be while doing good when volunteering. And even sweeter joy meeting ‘the band.’ (Tim and Glory Boys at Youth Conference 2017, Red Deer, Alberta)
What is your list of joy, my friend? And what is one thing you could do today, even if small or silly, to “to be happy and to do good“?
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
My joy comes from serving the LORD. Allsop sitting on our front porch or in out yard swing and enjoying the cool weaather
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cecelia, I also enjoy the cooler weather. And yes, we’re so blessed when we serve!
LikeLike
This was SO ENCOURAGING! Thank you.
A giant bubble! How cool. I am a little happier just knowing that out there in the world somewhere is a giant bubble you can roll around in.
That verse…
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8
He blesses us, giving us all we need to do the thing. Whatever the thing is, we are prepared ahead of time. That. Wow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sandi, the giant bubbles just make me smile whenever I see one! May God give you all need to day, and may you see His ways of giving you joy too today!
LikeLike
Thanks for the reminder Lynn to make time to have fun. As a W.T.S. ( Way Too Serious) kind of person, I need this reminder often. (-: Kerry
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lynn,
Love the photo of the macaroons! All of them are so fun and let us see why we need joy in our lives! (And how fun that you met those musicians, too!) So much in our lives does bring us joy if we take the time to appreciate it above the difficulties and challenges that would want to stand in the way of joy! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Val! Those macaroons were in a candy store in St. Augustine actually! Yes, so true that we appreciate joy when we don’t let difficulties become the only focus. May you have a day with many joy-filled sightings!
LikeLike
I love all the ways you described that encourage joy, Lynn! Let’s see some of the items on my Joy list include scrapbooking and making cards for the fun of it, snapping photos in an autumn-robed forest, tickling and laughing with my boys, baking with my youngest. Talking with my husband over froo-froo coffee. Watching a movie with my man and eating home made popcorn. Going out with girlfriends, writing a scene in a story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many ways to do joy, Jeanne! I love it!
LikeLike
I love all your happy photos, Lynn. The butterfly is so beautiful. My heart lifts every time I see one. 🙂 What fun with your grandchild! You were brave. 🙂 And did you craft those lovely cards? Thank you for reminding me to seek out the joy in our lives instead of focusing on the hard. Blessings and hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to see you here Trudy! Often joy and brave seem to fly together. 🙂 Yes, I crafted those cards. I seem to go in spurts with card-making. I’ll do none for many months, and then several in a week. Blessings and hugs back to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lynn! Joy for me is a walk in the woods, or by the water. I love the quiet beauty of it all.
Thank you for sharing photos of you family, how fun! (That photo at the wedding was a hoot!) I think my grands would have loved Lightening McQueen too. I think that often our joy comes from bringing joy to others, don’t you think?
Good to be here again!
Ceil
LikeLiked by 1 person
This makes me smile. 🙂 Love that scripture in Romans. Rejoicing in hope, grace, and what’s already been accomplished on the cross. Thinking too, of my grandsons, who always make me smile!
LikeLike