Thursday, December 21, 2017

Joy, Prayer, Thanksgiving

  It was the perfect title for me to see today when I looked at the news. Pope Francis call to be joyful, have an attitude of gratitude and prayer.  Every day our peace is threatened with the news, sad, upsetting or even maddening. Yet here is Pope Francis asking us to be joyful for Christ is coming!
  Always remain in joy even when things are not going our way.  Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Joy means we remain trusting in Christ that we are headed to Heaven, our home beyond this life. Joy doesn't mean we are always happy or overflowing with smiles and laughter, but it means that deep down in our souls, in our very beings we know God loves us and that gives us a lasting peace, a lasting happy that is called JOY. 
  Joyful people get upset and sad, yet then cannot remain that way because they know the sad that is in this life in only in this life. Joy brings our souls back up to the surface when life's sorrows and disappointments get us down. Joy bubbles up our thoughts and helps us remember that no matter what happens in our lives, God loves us and wants to help. 
  So this season and next year, live a life of joy and of thankfulness and prayer. Prayer will help keep joy by your side and being thankful always reminds us of who gives us the Joy we have.
  Merry Christmas! I love you!