Joy

“Joy to the world, all you boys and girls now, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me!” Come on now, and sing the song with me. “Joy to the world, all you boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me!” You can dance while you sing!

Yep, I feel better! Sometimes I need a little singing and dancing to lift my heart up!

In Proverbs 17:22 it tells us, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit draws up the bones.” Now that is an “Amen” statement! How has your heart been lately? Are you carrying your burdens on your face, in your words, with your actions and within your soul?  I become this way from time to time.  We call it being Eeyore at our house.

I know life is challenging and uncertain right now.  But when you immerse yourself in Christ and God’s word, you will find the uncertainty fade away. He can take the road that you are on and change your direction. And this does not depend on governments or what is happening in this world. His loving assurance will give you confidence to face your trials and tribulations. But you have to let Him!

Did you know that God loves you with a love I cannot explain and it is not contained within this universe, only heaven.  You are so precious to Him!  And He does want you to find Joy in all circumstances of your life! Just ask Him. No special words required, talk to Him like you would a friend.

One thing I do when the Eeyore mentality takes over my mind is to read a book from one of my favorite authors, Barbara Johnson.  She is living in glory today with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  But what she wrote yesterday applies to today’s life.  Barbara knew about life’s difficulties, tragedies, and sorrows. God helped her deal with and transgress out of the murk and mire of her most trying times, even wanting to commit suicide. Then God sent Barbara on a lifelong crusade to help others find their Joy through Jesus Christ. It was a daunting task that she did so well! Sometimes, I think I should continue where she left off. Or, maybe all of us should embrace the Joy gauntlet and anoint others with it every day.

I will leave you with one of Barbara’s stories, and I hope it puts a smile on your face. If that does not work, go to YouTube and watch videos of babies laughing. Works for me.

While reading one of her books, Barbara told about the time she took her five-year-old granddaughter to a Church’s women’s gathering.  They opened the convention with hymns being sung.  Barbara looked over and was astonished to see her granddaughter belting out the hymns.  She knew she could not read the monitors and did not understand these hymns. So, afterward, Barbara asked her granddaughter if she knew the words to the hymns and her granddaughter responded no. She singing the words, “peppermint peanut butter” to the hymns!  And it worked.

Amazing Grace (Peppermint Peanut Butter) Works for me!

Find something that makes you happy and returns your Joy back to you! And then share it with a friend, or a relative. Spread the Joy around like peanut butter!

God Bless You!