Article July 13, 1968 Issue

"Make a joy of it"

FRANKIE L. THOMAS

I once knew a woman whose joyous nature was an inspiration to all who knew her. Before undertaking any task, regardless of how menial, she would declare, "Remember, let's make a joy of it." What good counsel! Make a joy of everything by doing all to the glory of God, giving thanks for health, ability, opportunity, whether it be scrubbing a floor or balancing an impressive bank account.

Moses, the great Hebrew Lawgiver, knew the need for expressing joy in one's various activities. He commanded, "Ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto."^{Deut. 12:7:} Christian Science teaches that joy is a quality of God that man includes as His reflection; therefore joy is never outside ourselves and is never absent. We cannot create joy or lose it; we do not need to go anywhere or be with any particular person to obtain it. It matters not whether we are young or old, darkskinned or lightskinned, rich or poor. We need only to be aware that joy is here! It is just as natural for us to express continuing joy as it is for the sun to shine.

This saying has been attributed to Phillips Brooks: "Greatness is to take the common things of life and walk truly among them; Happiness is a great love and much serving." If we are not enjoying our daily activities, if we feel pressured by too many duties, it may be because we are not putting first things first. It is tempting at times for us to be so preoccupied with human duties that we forget the importance of seeking spiritual understanding.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The Right Kind of Friend