Thursday, September 6, 2007
Galatians 5:22 . . . the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy
FAMILY JOY
My seven year old boy may be the happiest person I've ever known. With a big smile on his face he's always asking me, "Dad, do you know what?" or "Come and see what I made!" or "Dad I have a joke for you." (Most of his jokes don't make sense, but they're funny because he thinks they're hilarious.) He isn't one who drags his feet through the day. He runs straight at life -- figuratively and literally. The love of Christ is in his heart and without even thinking about it he shows his joy in the Lord in countless ways throughout the day. He is an example to me. He makes me consider why I am not always so very joyful.
True joy in the family is the result of the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts. The fruit of the Spirit is JOY! We catch the Spirit who gives joy as we turn to God's Holy Word. Operation Joy is carried out in the family as we attend worship together, hold devotions, and speak of God's love and plans for our lives throughout the day. With God's help, we make it clear to our children that Jesus is always with us, helping us, protecting us, forgiving us, and strengthening our faith in Him. When Jesus is recognized as a real and living presence in our homes, joy will result.
As parents wishing to cultivate a climate of Spirit-given, Jesus-centered, joy, we will also take care to watch our bellyaching. If our children hear us complaining about everything from the high cost of gas to problems at work or in our congregations, we shouldn't be surprised when they, in turn, complain about their chores, their school work, or the dinner menu.
On the other hand, what a happy difference we can make in the lives of our children when our speech is sprinkled with phrases such as: "Praise the Lord!" "Isn't God good to us!" "What a happy thing to serve the Lord who bought us with His blood!" "How wonderful to know that Jesus lived and died for us!" "One day we'll all be in heaven together!" Furthermore, what an enduring impression we make on them when we demonstrate real joy even in the face of our trials and troubles.
As I write this devotion I can hear my little boy singing a song as he slurps down his morning bowl of Cheerios. Thank you, Lord, for his example. Lord, give me the joy of Spirit-created, child-like faith! Lord, restore unto our families the joy of your salvation. And may that joy be seen in all we say and do!
