Thankful Sunday: A Lesson In Being Joyful

I just came in from church and the homily almost sent me running from church in tears. Tears of self pity. I walked into Mass, flustered with the girls for making us late, frustrated with our financial situation, and basically just feeling beat up. Then our priest starting talking about joy! UGH! Why today. Where's the doom and gloom I wanted to wrap myself up in.




He went on to say that even the people who persecuted the early Christians were amazed by their joy. Here were people being mocked and condemned for their beliefs, yet they were joyful.

He went on to mention all the modern day issues that "we let" take our joy away. Of course as he's going down the list I'm checking off almost all of them in my head.  Yup, had most of them.Not feeling the joy just yet.


Even after Mass when speaking to him, I couldn't help but ask "where exactly is that joy buried, because... I'm still not feeling it."


It wasn't until I got home and started to write this post, and sat here wondering what the heck am I going to find to be Thankful for today, that I realized I was behaving well... not so Christian like. 

Lack of joy, means a lack of faith. Being joyful doesn't mean your irresponsible, it doesn't mean you don't have problems, it doesn't mean you aren't concerned about them, whatever they may be. 
No , being joyful means you have faith in God that He will never leave you, He will never forget you, He always knows what you need. He will always have you in the palm of his hand. That He has a plan even when you don't. He sees the way out when you just see dead ends. 


So today I'm thankful for a great homily(even if it took a while to penetrate my thick skull) and a lesson in being joyful. 

Enjoy your Sunday and be joyful!


Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again rejoice!
  
~ Philippians 4:4,