“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”—Job 8:21(NLT)
Last week, I was fortunate enough to be blessed by a sweet “young” couple who exuded joy and thankfulness to those around them.
Again, I usually avoid the big box craft stores on a Saturday, but this particular day, I decided to quickly run in for something at Joann’s on my way to a bridal shower. Really, there is nothing “quick” about going into a Joann’s on a Saturday. As I stood in a rather long line to checkout, there was cute elderly couple a few people ahead of me. As she was checking out the cashier told her to have a good day and the woman said, “I will, it’s our anniversary today. Do you have any idea how long we have been married?”
Of course, I had to pipe in and say, “60 years.” The cashier agreed and another woman in line said 55. The woman said, “No, today it is 10 months we’ve been married. December will be one year. In December we will have 101 years of marriage between the two of us.” I said, “Good for you for loving again. What a testament to your first marriages.” She said, “Every day is a gift and I am thankful for each day we get to spend together.”
What a great attitude! When I told her, “that was a trick question!” She said, “Yes, but I got every one of you to smile and participate. I want every one of you to have a good day.” I was disappointed that they were gone by the time I made it to the parking lot. I didn’t get to ask her, but I have no doubt she had the love of Jesus in her heart.
Although the sweet “young” couple I referenced to were in their 80’s, I considered them young at heart because they were newlyweds. That encounter made my day. This is a perfect example of someone living out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Not only was this woman thankful that God blessed her with another good man to love but she also clearly found joy in her life and wanted to bless others with that.
If I live to be 80, I can only hope to have this kind of infectious joy to those around me.
Dear Lord,
Help me to find happiness when sadness fills my heart. I thank You that despite broken hearts that You are able to bring joy and laughter from lips that once cried out in sorrow. Give me a thankful heart that will spillover into the lives around me. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
How are you doing on this month’s memory verse? “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) Have you been tested this week to always be joyful or give thanks in all circumstances?
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