Most mornings, as I drink coffee and our youngest sits in his high chair sucking down juice, I pull out my devotion booklet, "Forward: Day by Day." I read the devotion for the day--a brief Bible verse followed by a meditation. I think about it, perhaps say a little prayer, and then it's on to the business of the day.
This short devotional time is my primary spiritual discipline. Somedays I don't get to the devotion, and other days I'm so preoccupied compiling my mental "To-do" list for the day that the readings don't register. But, a line from yesterday's meditation really resonated with me, and I wanted to share it: "It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful."
You may or may not agree with that statement, but when I looked around at my own little life, I saw the truth in it. Maybe gratitude doesn't lead directly to joy, but the two feelings are certainly intertwined my experience.
Every time I pick the little one up at daycare, he runs to me, his face full of smiles and light. He throws his small, pudgy arms around my neck. Everytime I get that hug, I am grateful for his love and joyful for his presence in my life.
Good friends of ours are currently in Siberia, where they have completed an adoption and are taking their new son home. I am grateful that their family is now whole and filled with joy that their little boy finally has parents to call his own.
I watch our older son jump off the jungle gym, then sprint across the yard. I am grateful for how independent and strong he's become. I am filled with joy as I watch his arms and legs move with such strength and grace.
I hear my husband's key turn in the door. I'm grateful that he's home safe after another day of work, and I'm full of joy at the shining smile he beams at me as the door opens.
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Now, here are my questions for you: What are you grateful for? What brings you joy? And, my really big question--what are you going to do with it? How will you share that gratitude and joy with others in a meaningful way? How will you take action and pass it on?