I’ve never had a guest blogger, however, this week I’m breaking with that tradition and sharing a piece posthumously as a tribute to the life and example of my Aunt “Rusty,” Eleanor Loper, one of my dad’s older sisters. She passed away earlier this year on January 18th and was one of the kindest and most positive people I’ve known. Her eyes were full of light and her smile was infectious. Interactions with her were always full of warmth, acceptance, empathy, and joy.
Our family knew her as a woman of strong faith who was an active member at Kemble United Methodist in Woodbury, NJ for most of her adult life. What most of us didn’t know, however, until her Memorial Service, was that she has written a little devotional gem on joy for her Sunday School class. One of the members shared it at the service and I share it now in hopes that it will draw you closer to God and help you find joy in the small things we often take for granted:
Scripture
- This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
- This day is sacred to our LORD. Do not grieve for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Neh. 8:10)
- He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:21)
- May the God of hope fill you with all peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)
- A cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good news gives health to the bones. (Prov. 15:30)
- Sing and make music in your heart to the LORD, and always give thanks to God the Father for everything. (Ephesians 5:10)
- You have made known to me the paths of life; you will find me with joy in your presence. (Acts 2:28)
Reflection
Make your life yield some happiness every day. Joy is infectious. Be grateful for the tiniest things: water to drink, a moment to rest, the color of a flower or sunset or bird, a piece of bread, a song on the radio. Keep looking for sights, smells, and sounds that make you feel joy.
There is no formula for appropriating joy. Joy happens to us as God restores us and teaches us to abide in Him as he works in and through us.
Life is too short to spend being angry, bored or dull. That was never God’s intention. Maybe boredom and dullness aren’t on any list of sins in the Bible, but they will sap your joy if you will tolerate them.
Stop the rat race. Enjoy the rich aromas in your life—the ones God gives in nature and the ones God gives through the witness of human kindness. Stop and enjoy the sights, tastes, and smells of God’s good gifts.
Become a joy collector. Be on the lookout for gifts God is strewing across your path right now. His gifts come tagged with a note, “Life can be wonderful. Do your best not to miss it.” Enjoy what is, before it isn’t anymore.
Prayer
Dear LORD, we should be grateful that you didn’t give us a drab world, or one in black and white. That you decided to make even people in so many shades of skin and hair and eyes. How dull it would be if all faces and races looked alike. Thank you God for color and all the existing hues that drench the earth and fill the senses. Thank you God for eyes to see them. Thank you God for the miracles of sight and hearing that make our loves overflow with joy. Amen.