Jumping for JOY and Other Sights of the Season
She sat across from me in church last Sunday with her grandmother, Audrey, and her parents. In her three year old hands, Liliana held a large Bible. She kept thumbing through it. Handling the pew Bible, like the treasure it is. Curious and calm. She couldn't read. But Liliana was doing the best she could. Imagining. And I thought, "But she's reading us. We're the Bible to her in word and deed." What is she learning from us about God's love and mercy? We're God's living Bibles.
And then there was Ellie, Nick and Leandra's three year old daughter. During communion, she took her time at the altar, sipping the wee cup of grape juice, while her parents waited nearby. Ellie tipped the cup over and over again. Licking the inside. It was like she couldn't get enough of Jesus.
And I wondered what can I not get enough of from Jesus? With all the forgiveness, mercy and grace I've received over eighty-five years, when did I stop jumping for joy and skipping back to my pew, like Ellie? Maybe I should give it a go. Or maybe, just sing for JOY.
So, dear friends and family, may this season of great JOY, flow to and through you. And may you and I be to those who can't quite read or get what Christianity and the Bible are all about, a glimpse into God's heart. Can't hurt to jump for JOY, now and then, for the sake of the holy health of our own hearts.
JOY is catchy.
Lets pread some.
God Jul!
8 Comments
Good Yul to you as well. See you on the 9th/ I hope you have a wonderful Christmas in sunny California.
Blessings to you and love.
Shelly
Thanks, dear Shelly. JOY comes to and through you as you lead our small group in Community Bible study each week.
Sing on!
God’s Blessings on you and your family
What a gift to hear from you again, dear Ann. All those years together at JOY Bible study at Grace Chapel bring back special memories whenever I write on the subject of JOY. So I wish you and your family GREAT JOY, which is at the heart of Christmas.
Dear Jan,
In my work with the American Bible Society, they had a phrase that said, "words matter and God's Word matters most." In Hebrews 12:2, it begins "for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross..." There is a major difference between joy and happiness, and our Savior demonstrated that on the cross. Thanks for jogging my memory. Warm regards, Dale
You'd have loved watching that little girl handle God's Words so carefully, as if she knew it was a true treasure, which it is. And you are so wise to remind all who read these responses of the difference between JOY and happiness. And so I wish you, Marty and your precious family great JOY today and in the New Year,along with HOPE. One of God's ongoing gifts to me has been our friendship. So grateful it's a forever friendship. I'm sure Jud will be part of the welcoming team one day. Meanwhile, God Jul!!
I do read all the comments! :) And yes, so good to remember we don't need to be "happy" to have JOY! And oh my - yes! HOPE!!! I have a granddaughter who just turned 3 and I love thinking about her holding and "reading" the Bible like the little girl in your church. So precious!! Thanks for the big smile you gave me thinking about you skipping back to your seat next time you take communion! Haha, love you!
And I love you, too, dear Wendy and Stee I hope to remember how to skip. Don't want ato create a side show or do a face paint near the altar.