Let anyone who comes to you go away feeling better and happier. Everyone should see goodness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile. Joy shows from the eyes. It appears when we speak and walk. It cannot be kept closed inside us. It reacts outside. Joy is very infectious.
(St. Teresa of Calcutta)
Do we find our joy merely a response to events beyond us where we are tossed about to and fro, circumstance dependent, or is there a deeper well we draw from? As St. Teresa of Calcutta so aptly notes, life-sustaining joy comes from within. It is so deep and brimming that it cannot help but overflow outside ourselves. So much so that even in the "midst of a very severe trial" and suffering it can be seen spilling out and soaking all those around with unprecedented actions of generosity and love (2 Corinthians 8:2).
This we have witnessed throughout this pandemic, seemingly unprompted selfless caring acts of delivering food, making masks, and donating hard to find items to those most vulnerable.
Some examples of "How can I help"? "I have been laid off but am able to make a trip to the grocery store for someone who cannot get out" .. "Does anyone have fabric to donate? I can sew and would love to help anyway I can." Over the last few months, volunteers have provided to many persons in our county alone! I have a beautiful friend in Oregon that has sent Thom, my children, and I beautiful handmade masks and "cozzies" for us! Joy experienced by both the giver and recipient alike multiplied endlessly.
Make no mistake, however: though joy is found within, it not self-created or increased by our actions alone. Given our human limitations, joy must be sourced by that which is greater than ourselves. Otherwise, our store of joy, shallow and unprotected, quickly soon becomes depleted. I am tired most days due to caregiving, career, and college! I remember that being exhausted can definitely steal my joy! Self-care becomes priority! A nursing service is assisting me for the next few weeks (thank you so much!). This gives me time to deliver soup to my aging neighbor who I worry will be warm, fed, and secure. Her smile is heaven when she sees me, her hand clasp is of an angel, and her stories of old fill my heart with gratitude and love.
Paul points out time and time again, as believers we have access to abundant joy through the power of the Holy Spirit when we place our trust in God and walk in love. (1 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 15:13).
Thank you, beautiful friend, with this wonderful reminder.
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