Returning to Joy

You greet a baby, he breaks into a big smile and reaches for you. A child giggles contagiously as you play with her or give her a favorite toy.  Your dog waits for you at the door and can hardly contain herself as you approach, she is so eager to see you—not just her tail but her whole body wagging.  JOY!   These life moments can best be described as joy moments! Someone delighting in you and you in them!  What a powerful emotion! 

Jesus told us to come as little children to enter the Kingdom. (Matt. 18:3) Could His love for, and value of children be because children have an uncomplicated trust in the one they know will care for them?

When I wrote about “The Power of Joy”, I mentioned the joy strength  God intends us to have. “Building joy means getting closer to God and to people.”  (“The Life Model: Living From the Heart  Jesus Gave You”  p. 12 Published by Shepherd’s House, Inc.  Pasadena, CA  91104

 Revised 2000)

Here are some simple ways to return to and generate that joy strength.  (See above reference.)

•Smile whenever you greet those you love, and use sincere voice tones.

•Ask questions that invite others to tell you how they are doing, and what they are thinking. Listen intently without interrupting.

•Take a sincere interest in really knowing the other person. Work hard to understand the other’s fears, joys, passions, talents, and pain.

•Treat each other with dignity and respect. When ending a discussion, try to make both people feel affirmed.

•Use touch whenever appropriate: Hold hands, link arms, give hugs, and use physical connection as effectively as you can.

•Discover what brings the person joy: a time to talk, encouraging notes, a helping hand, or evening walks. Custom fit your attempts to bring joy.

•Give them little surprises that will cause their eyes to light up, and let your eyes light up, too!  The joy builds as the glances go back and forth.

•Cherish babies and children by establishing through words and actions that you are authentically “glad to be with them”.   (For more on this, see Finishing Well: Returning to Joy - Jim Wilder)

Getting to know and love the One who knows all: what has been, what currently is, and what will be, is the secret in returning to joy. 

    Dear Lord,   Help us to know you better, to  love you more, and to delight in you more

    completely!  Help us to truly experience how your joy can be our strength!  Amen!

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