Dec 27 2008
Giving with Joy
She gives most who gives with joy.
“Mother Teresa”
As a mom, I can truly relate to this quote. There are moments when the kids might as for something, and you huff, thinking, ‘I just sat down,’ so there are two choices in the matter. We can complain, and possibly make our children upset for even asking for help, or we can smile, and help them. When we smile, we offer joy that is in our hearts, even if we were disturbed for just a slight moment in our day. Honestly, how much effort does it take to get up? It might take more effort to put a smile on our face, but our children have a deeper place in our heart that we can summon just one small gesture for them.
Honestly though, when we provide service with joy, others truly do see the giving as far more than than, they see the individual behind the giving, and the love that is provided behind the acts of service. Anyone can shake hands, provide a hug, or help someone in need, but when we are able to do this with joy from our hearts, it is widely known.
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression that if you pick up the phone with a smile on your face, on the other side of the phone, the person can hear your happiness, or the influence of the gesture. It’s true. When you smile, you speak differently. There is a positive pitch in your voice. It’s hard to smile and speak negatively to another person. This could be a tool for dealing with hurt feelings, or when you’re angry at someone. It could even be funny!
The bottom line is the same - acts can be more influential when given with some joy on your part.
I truly enjoy helping out when I can. I enjoy working with chilren and I love assisting in our church’s nursery so parents can attend regular service and know that their children are cared for and loved. This gesture is important to me, it’s something that I can provide to parents with joy in my heart. I believe that the children do feel loved, and the parents see how happy their children are, and continue to attend church services - all because of the initial influence of joy that is left upon a family. It’s not easy for parents to trust others when watching their children - yet it is a simple service that I can provide to families. I understand how important it is to have an hour away, and I understand how great you feel after attending a church service. To me this is an easy combination of something that I can give to others (with joy).
Think of a way that you can either add joy to your life, to help others, or something that you already do that you might be able to think of differently that perhaps has been missing joy.
What do you think?
