Skip to main content

Contagious Infectious Joy!


I find it highly ironic that the season of joy – Christmas – can be for some the most depressing
time of the year.  I’m not going to pretend that this time of year is stress-free, wonderful and
perfect for me.  It isn’t.   

There’s cookies to bake and presents to buy.

There’s practices and programs,

gift exchanges and decorating.

Then it snows and all is frozen.

The Christmas tree falls over.

The dog wrecks the garland.

The meeting runs late.

The money is gone.

 Stressed, pouting and complaining, I’ve heard it all and done it too.  It’s exhausting!
Where’s the joy?  WHERE?  Joy is infectious but it has to start somewhere.  It can start
with you, and it can start with me.

No matter how much needs to be done, or where I have to go, I start my morning quietly
in the presence of my God.  Because joy is waking up and thanking God that you did.

Quiet prayer, heartfelt worship.

Holy Spirit bumps reminding me of all I have been given.

Remembering  past Christmases, my mom and Timm’s dad.

Knowing they are celebrating in heaven.

I think about the celebrations ahead - fondue on Christmas Eve and all of the family at the
farm.  This puts a smile on my face and joy in my heart.  True joy, the kind that starts in my
heart and glows right through my mouth (smile!) and makes my eyes sparkle.

For infectious joy is contagious.  You want some joy this Christmas?   My Jesus Calling stated,
"As you seek My Presence above all else, you experience peace and joy in full measure.”

Okay - but how?  Let’s start seeking together.


First, stop.

Stop what you are doing and close your eyes.

Thank your Heavenly Father for all He is and all He has done.

Contemplate His holiness.  Confess your sinfulness.

Repeat after me, “I am forgiven”.

Read some scripture, sing a carol.

Look out at the stars, witness His majesty.

Stay there.

We could be the ONLY JOY some people ever encounter during this season.  Did you ever
think about that?  Not only can joy be shared with family, but how about coworkers, neighbors,
your children’s teachers?  Do they know where true joy comes from? 

Infect them! 

Seek His presence - every day.  Go forth in His Name – joyful.

May you and yours be blessed – so blessed – this Christmas with everlasting, heart-
pounding, exhilarating, infectious  . . . . joy!

Isaiah 51:11

The ransomed of the Lord will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

Everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It all started before that.

As she talked, I sat there amazed.   Not at what she was saying, but at who she had become.   Confident.   Godly.   Faithful.    Respected.   It just hit me that she is now a leader in our church.    A true leader.   The next generation of leaders, in fact. But wait -- is this the same young woman who God brought into our lives a little over 10 years ago?   The anxious, nervous, only-just-started-going-to- church- wanting-to-please-everyone young woman my son introduced us to?   Watching her confidently taking her seat, I started thinking of those first days . . .   and seriously, my breath caught in my throat.   How amazing God is!   He molds, He holds.   He shapes and He grows.   And He does this over and over – and it still amazes me.   That got me to thinking.   God’s amazing work in my life didn’t start with my daughter-in-love.   It started before that.   It starte...
1 comment
Read more

I prayed for toilet paper.

    I left for a LONG walk by myself recently while vacationing at my sister's place.   Armed with a bottle of water, it was a perfect morning to get away.  The sun was shining and the birds were singing - what could be better??   Having walked this path before, I didn't have a worry in the world. Praying, humming and taking in as much of God's creation as I could, all was good.   Well, until . .   My bladder was full and no bathroom was in sight.   I figured I was still about two miles away from the nearest bathroom.   What to do?   Two miles is a LONG WAY when you gotta go.   Some of you know EXACTLY what I mean.   Or maybe you don't have problems like this and if you did, you at least wouldn't tell anybody about it.   But the older I get, the more of a problem it is.   And the older I get, I know that EVERY event in life has a lesson.   Yes, even one like this   So I did what an...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Joyces of My Life

Have you ever had someone in your life who truly showed joy, no matter the circumstance?  How about someone who has made a profound influence?  I can honestly say that I have had two, and they both have the name "Joyce" - hence, the title of this post - The Joyces of My Life. First of all, Joyce ( my stepmom) came into my life when she married my dad.  My life was pretty unstable with my mother, but we all made the best of it.  Once I graduated from high school, I moved in with Dad and Joyce. Life happened, I got married, had some kids, you know the drill.   When I think back, there's nothing specific I remember, except  her constant-ability.  She was always there for me.  Period.  When you meet someone who lets you into their heart, bears her own heart and soul, while introducing you to Jesus, your life changes.  At least mine did.  Her love for Jesus and scripture was evident and contagious.  I wanted in - all...
Post a Comment
Read more