Joy
When we think of joy, we tend to equate it with personal happiness – the delight we feel when things are going well or when we get something we deeply desire. But the joy found in scripture stems from something far different. It is “the fruit of a right relationship with God.” It is “the happy state that results from knowing and serving God.”
A frigid wind preceded him as he stepped out of the freezing drizzle and into the warmth of McDonald’s. He looked around and instead of walking to the counter, tentatively walked toward a small table against the wall. He sat down, carefully placing his plastic bag in the seat next to him. His scruffy beard and dirty jacket were a testimony to a life lived well out of our comfortable surroundings. There was a deep weariness etched into the lines of his face. He looked hungry.
My husband sat with his back to him and didn’t notice his arrival. I was facing him. I dared to look in his direction a couple of times. Once he caught me looking. I began to feel my heart rate accelerate ever so slightly. Then the gentle whisper: “For I was hungry and you fed me.” (Matt. 25:35). I looked over again. He hadn’t moved. It was apparent he didn’t have any money. And he was hungry.
I leaned over to my husband and said , “I think that man needs a meal.” I confess, I am an introverted soul and had I been alone I don’t know if I would have had the courage to move. I pray I would. My husband has no such inhibitions. He immediately got up and walked over to the man. He spoke quietly to him and then they walked together to the counter.
When he was seated with his meal we slipped out of the restaurant. The most unexpected thing happened as I walked through the freezing rain – my heart filled to overflowing with joy. I hadn’t expected it. It came as a gift. We had done one tiny thing to bless someone else, and He responded as He always does – beyond anything we can ask or think.
Jesus came to us and with His coming He brought joy. Real joy. There was joy in His coming. And He became our joy.
Blessed Christmas dear friends,
Linda
