Overflowing With Joy

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 

  

  I sat the doctor's office smiling. Across from me was a small child singing. She was perhaps five or six years old. Filled with joy and happiness, she was making up songs about whatever popped into her head. Everything was worthy of a song to her. 

  Jesus admonished His followers to be as children, and as I looked at the joyful child, I knew that was exactly what He was talking about. Before we grew old, and became filled with concerns and cares, life was exciting. Life was filled with promise, and every happy thought filled us with joy and singing.  

  Happiness is contagious and joy spreads. As followers of Jesus Christ we have every reason to be happy, and His Holy Spirit stirs joy in our hearts. Joyfully contagious Christians is what we should always aspire to. Filled to overflowing with childlike joy and singing, what happy Christians we would become. 

  While there is much in life that steals our joy and makes us feel defeated, if we could rediscover that child inside of us that was so excited to ride a bike, or fly a kite, to lay down on the warm grass on a sunny summer day and just watch the billowy clouds float past. Such a one abides in joy and happiness, making songs and allowing smiles to flow as easily as breathing. 

  As adults we often find life hard and filled with endless challenges, yet there is more to life than worries and cares. If we have no joy in life then we are doing it wrong. 

  Remember when you were a child without cares or fears? Remember how little things made you so happy then? Jesus would have us return to that simple faith and ready joy. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, too often cares and worries drive joy far from our hearts. Restore our joy, and put happy songs back upon our lips. Amen.