LUKE 1: 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. (NIV)
“I am so happy for you!” Do we say that often enough? Do we even think it? Are we truly excited when another is blessed, or do we try to one-up them with our own accomplishment?
When we share in the joy of another’s blessing, we enter into that blessing and are touched as well. I’m afraid I don’t understand selfishness. Add it up: If you share your joy with another and they pass that blessing along, in no time, you are surrounded by love and happiness, increasing your own experience several-fold. It’s a bless/bless situation! Let us pray:
“God of Heaven and Earth, we recognize your sovereignty over our lives. May your royal kingdom come and made us your humble residents. Father, during this blessed season, let us overflow with your abundant joy and love. Show us those who need encouragement and a healing touch. Increase our hearts by the measure of the love we lavish on others, so that we might bring You to those we meet. Forgive us when we have been stingy with the joy you bring us. It is not ours to hold onto. If we try to grasp it in our clutches, our pride of acquisition would only burn a hole in our generous nature. It must be shared. Lead us away from selfishness and toward the great and marvelous joy of giving. In the name of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
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