This week we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a time of rejoicing. This week we are to calm down even more and practice joy. These days joy is in short supply. Too much sickness and death, too much violence and threats, too much division. And yet we are called to be joyful. Not happy, not perky, not saccharine sweet – joyful.
So how do we do it? How do we practice something we can’t always conjure? I have two suggestions. First, notice kindness and generosity in others. That always brings me joy, and I am blessed in my work to see this a lot. This week we will deliver about 800 books to kids who are in really precarious situations. We will bring joy by our gift. Kids might or might not love books, but these books will be theirs, these books will be an opportunity and an escape.
When I look at the boxes filled with fun, serious, classic, race and gender appropriate books, my heart is full. I think of each person I saw drop them off, sometimes with stories about why they chose this title or that, sometimes explaining how a book moved them or someone they love. I think about all the packages of books we received in the mail, never with a name attached. I don’t know who you are, but thank you so much!! I think of you pouring over your computer trying to find just the right title for a 9 year old.
Thinking about the effort this takes, all that you did, the commitment you made; that brings joy!
It is also a joyful thing to be generous. That is my second suggestion. This is a season for gift giving, so we are in good company. It’s more than just purchasing something. It’s being pleasant to the check-out person or the mail carrier. It’s patronizing a small business to support them in this difficult time. It’s carry out at a family owned restaurant, who gives you big portions to thank you for coming. It’s an extra big tip in the tip jar. It makes me happy, joyful, and feel good about myself, when I am generous.
Joy is healing. It doesn’t seem like it changes much, but it is contagious, and it leaves a mark. This week how will you bring joy into your own life by bringing joy into the world?