Joy to the World
1 December 2001
Subject: Looking For Joy
Dear Ones,
It's
hard to believe that another Saturday is here already and it's time to take
another marble out of the jar. My how time passes when you are having fun.
Did you ever think about how much fun you derive from the little things that
happen in your daily life. It seems to me as I grow older that I can find joy
and have fun in the simplest of things. Maybe it's because I am looking for joy
as opposed to walking around worrying about things I can not control. Those
things I leave to the Almighty since He has promised to handle them as He
clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the sky.
My main concern, therefore, is to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness"
and then live life to its fullest. The good book says, "Rejoice in the Lord
always!" That means to me to laugh, have fun, and enjoy the MANY things which
God blesses us with.... be they big things or little things.
Ben Franklin is quoted as once saying, "Joy is not in things! It is in us!"
Another person wrote, "Joy comes from the Lord who lives within us, not from
what's happening around us." If this be the case, we need to "walk in the
spirit".... looking for joy..... and when we find it, delight in it.
A couple of weeks ago, it was a simple, little thing that brought joy and
laughter to our table. Our long-time friend, J. R., was invited over to have
breakfast with us. It was his birthday, but we didn't let on that we knew about
it. When Leavon called J. R. and me to come to the table, we arrived to find not
only a full breakfast prepared, but a surprise, as well. She had baked a pan of
cinnamon rolls and had, thoughtfully, placed a single birthday candle into the
top of one of the rolls. I lit the candle, we all had a good laugh, and then we
joined hands as Leavon and I sang "Happy Birthday" to our friend.
You will agree that this was a "little" thing when placed in perspective with
all that is going on in our world today, but, I believe, it's the little things
which add so much to our happiness as we travel this world.... looking for joy.
May you find fun and joy in the little things in life... and may it always dwell
in you.
Have a blessed day!!
Don
Joy to the World
After writing the above message, I was sent the following words which complement what I was trying to express. I think you will agree.
Relax And Choose Joy
Like most people these days I seem to have more and more to do. Everyday there
seems to be one hundred and one things that need done right away. As much as I
try to simplify my life I always end up spending my time taking care of the
daily details of living.
That is why I try to keep a little reminder taped to the window of my mind. This
reminder tells me of the only two things that I really need to do each day. It
is just four words long so that I won't forget it.
It says, "Relax and choose Joy.
Now I still do all the daily errands that life demands. I still drive the kids
to school and pick them up again. I still run to the store and get the
groceries. I still do the dishes, feed the pets, and clean the house. I still do
my work and pay my bills. Only now I do them happily and in a spirit of love and
joy.
I don't feel rushed or stressed or worried anymore. I don't feel upset or bad if
something doesn't get done. I don't feel like a failure because I haven't been
the perfect husband or dad.
My little reminder has helped me to live a busy life with a peaceful heart. It
has kept my thoughts and feelings focused on what is really important in this
life. It has allowed me to "relax and choose joy" as I go about doing the one
hundred and one things that need done each day.
I know now that no matter how busy I may get if I only relax and choose joy and
love that things will work out as they should.
When the daily details of life start to get to you then remember that God loves
you and wants you to be happy. Remember that you need only to "relax and choose
joy" to make your busy life beautiful and wonderful again.
~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~