Wayne and I received a Joy Box from my daughter, son-in-law and their children for Christmas. It is a plastic box that the kids decorated with markers. On the lid is an artist's easel and paint brushes for me and a putting green and golf club for Wayne surrounded by hearts. Inside was a note explaining the box and it was filled with wonderful notes to treasure from each of them to each of us and small gifts to make us smile. The idea of the box came from a book my daughter read recently about finding joy even through really rough times. The author decided that even though she couldn't change her circumstances, she could change her attitude toward them. So she created a Joy Box. She put things into the box that inspired her. Some days it would be a quote, a Bible verse, a funny story or comic. Other days it might be something hysterical or slightly off-color that she found in a gift shop or something someone gave her. Soon she needed a larger box and finally she needed a whole room in her house. Now when someone needs a dose of joy they will come to her house to visit with her in her joy room. I thought that was a wonderful idea and am eager to start adding to the box. We are starting 2016 with Joy and wish a Joyous New Year for you too!
I took this photo last year in Virginia. For whatever reason this picture makes me smile. He looks joyful to me.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. for the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100
1 comment:
" ---- whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (FROM: Philippians 4:8). What a sweet idea - to make such a box - such a room . . . and really in the world of "mobile devices" - our "mobile joy room" is our very heart . . . as we store away the treasures of God's goodness to us and continually dwell on them. May we in 2016 rejoice in life and hope and all good things that come from God's hand!
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