Cry Without Shame; Then Laugh with JOY!

          Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  If you feel like crying, it may help you to find unexpected joy!

            This week we’ve been reflecting on the powerful lessons we can learn from little children. Lessons like:

·        JOYfully anticipate each new day!

·        Smile…even if no one is looking!

·        Don’t be so concerned about what you look like on the outside.  It’s the inside that counts!

·        Take God’s hand and let him guide your every step of your path!

The lesson that we’ll discuss today is one that comes easily for children, but we adults seem to have a real challenge with it. It’s a two-part-er:  FIRST:

• If you are hurting, cry without shame. Notice how children aren’t ashamed to express their disappointment or hurt by letting the tears flow! But many adults think they have to hold theirs in! One four year old wisely surmised: “God gave us tears to wash the sadness in our hearts away.”  So use those tears whenever necessary and don’t be ashamed to do so….but, then, after a while, we must move on!  God will give us the courage and strength to do so.

 And that leads us to the second part of our lesson:

• Laugh often!  That’s scriptural! Psalm 126:2 says: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

            Indeed, the Lord has done great things for us! So let’s laugh often and JOYfully shout His praises!

            Use your tears when you need to…and then move on, laugh and shout for JOY!