Share the Joy!

When something wonderful happens to someone you love and care about, it is such a blessing to be able to share the joy with that person.  It really means a lot to your brothers and sister in Christ to be able to do that.  Some of our dear friends just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and it was such a privilege to be able to bring a meal and visit.  Some other friends we have are recently getting married and it's such a blessing to share in that by excitedly talk about wedding plans and attending bridal showers.  Or what about birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, etc. when you really think and pray about what gift would be meaningful and appropriate.  You make the purchase or make it yourself and upon the opening of that present, to see the gratitude, thoughtfulness, appreciation, love and joy come from that person, just makes all the effort seem miniscule in comparison to the joy of celebrating with that person.  It really is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) because you can share in the joy and gratitude of the other person with a joy from Christ that is inexpressible.  

One time, two years ago, I withheld sharing some joy with a couple of friends of ours because I was afraid of how they might react - would they be upset, angry, sad, jealous?  They found out through other resources and were quite hurt that we didn't relay our joy directly to them.  But now, I understand how important it is to laugh with those who laugh and weep with those who weep.  Their joy is our joy and their pain is our pain.  It is the unity we have in Christ, the love of God we share with one another.  I can't imagine what it must have been like before the Fall to constantly share nothing but joy together!  How incredible that seems to me - that's what it will be like in heaven.

There is an appointed time for everything.  

And there is a time for every event under heaven--

A time to weep and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.  You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Philippians 2:17-18