Joyful

2 Corinthians 13:11

…Be joyful. Grow in maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

I was so happy to read this verse today! I do want to be joyful. I do want to grow in maturity. I do want to encourage others. I strive to live in harmony and peace….and I definitely want God to be with me!

The last few weeks have been difficult. I've had travel, meetings, and illness all to deal with in the midst of the holiday season. When I read this verse this morning…I said yes to being joyful…it is a choice…Yes, I want to grow in maturity…this time will grow me. Encourage others…definitely want to help others. Harmony and peace – couples definitely need this when helping another deal with sickness.

Sunday, as I sat once again in the ER with Kenny and he was dozing…I fell asleep perched over the railing of his little er bed and the scripture was in my head once again…Have I not told you Debbie to be strong and courageous and that I am with you? Yes, Lord…but…was going through my head…He answered there is no but Debbie - it is the truth! God never promises us that we will not have these difficult times…in fact, he prepares us for them.

I read this story about Leo Buscaglia and thought it was so fabulous that I would share it with all of you…

Author Leo Buscaglia tells this story about his mother and their "misery dinner." It was the night after his father came home and said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy because his partner had absconded with their firm's funds. His mother went out and sold some jewelry to buy food for a sumptuous feast. Other members of the family scolded her for it. But she told them that "the time for joy is now, when we need it most, not next week." Her courageous act rallied the family.

Christopher News Notes, August, 1993.

So the time is now for joy…not next week. The time is ripe to show joy!

Showing joy,

Debbie