Psalm 100:2
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Families evolve over time and most of the time a family develops a name for itself. When you think of certain families you put them in categories, “they love sports,” or “that family is always going on vacations,” or “they are homebodies,” or “that family loves doing projects together, building things together.” How would someone describe your family? Would they describe your family as fun? If you are a Christian, then fun, joyful, and happy should be at least part of the way people describe you and your family. Are you joyful?
All Christians should be joyful because we worship an amazing God! God has filled us with His joy and we need to be exuding joy, always. When people think of your family, wouldn’t it be awesome if the first word that popped into their mind was fun? Be the family that is opening your doors to the children around the block, a place that is safe and welcoming. Be the home in the neighborhood where the mom welcomes other children by making hot chocolate in the winter and passing out popsicles in the summer. If you tell yourself you don’t have time for such nonsense, then you are the one that needs it more than anyone. What is nonsense about being fun and giving love? Who knows, your family maybe the only sign of Jesus that your neighbor’s child will ever see.
Prayer
Father,
Forgive me Lord for not being joyful. I have no excuse. I get so bogged down in trivial matters and if people were to equate being a Christian to being joyful then they may not think I was a Christian. I need to lighten up! Open my eyes to not be so downcast, worrying about what tomorrow will bring and help me just enjoy today. I need to enjoy my children and their friends. Give me joy!
