Would you give a gift you would like, but cannot enjoy yourself?
My father grew many crops in his garden. Most of them were things he could not eat due to a medical condition.
I asked him why he chose to do that. He told me he enjoyed having something to give other people. Their joy in receiving brought joy to him.
A friend had an advanced dental condition that restricted her diet to liquids. Yet she spent a great deal of time baking foods she took to others. Like my father, her joy came through the act of giving others joy.
We have enjoyed a magnificent Christmas Light Show this season. It comes from the home of a man who is blind. For many years, he has worked to send light and joy out into the world, even though he cannot see all of it. Like my father and my friend, his joy comes through the joy others receive.
In this season of celebrating Jesus’ Birth, you may not be feeling joyful. However, if you make a conscious choice to do what you can to bring joy to others, you will find that Joy Jesus promised springing up in you.
Jesus came not for what He could get from us, but for what He could give us. Receive it and pass it on!
I have told you these things so that My Joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing!
John 5:11 (AMP)
