What do you bring to the table?
Remember the old Mary Tyler Moore Show from the 1970’s? The theme music started with the words:
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
And then we were treated to Mary spinning in a circle and throwing her hat in the air, carefree and full of joy. (I’ve always wondered about the woman in the background wearing the head scarf. What was she thinking?)
Reality is that people respond to those who bring joy into their lives, not those that find fault or negativity in everything around them. God wants our lives to be full of joy, not full of grumpiness. The Bible is full of scripture that speaks of the joy God wants for our hearts:
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 1 Chronicles 16:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:2
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Luke 15:11
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
God wants us to be happy and rejoice, and to spread that happiness to those around us. He understands that we have sorrows, and He also understands we all have a bad day or two now and then… ok, maybe even three or four.
But we can’t spread the joy of the Lord to others and be Ms. Grumpy Pants at the same time!
Be sad when you need to be sad, mourn when you need to mourn… but don’t look for reasons to be angry or grumpy. Look to Heaven and share the joy!
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Good advice. Be sad when you need to be but find ways to spread joy and love into people’s lives.
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Money often costs too much.