Me:  It looks like you with a lot of happy people!

Prodigal:  Its been a good day even though the week was very stressful and filled with hurt.

Me:  Well, it is good to rejoice when there is time to rejoice.

 

Dr. Larry Crabb shares in his book Men & Women Enjoying the Difference

 

The difference between godly and ungodly people is not that one group never hurts and the other group does, or that one reports more happiness than the other.  The difference lies in what people do with their hurt.  Either they do what comes naturally:  use their hurt to justify self-centered efforts to relieve it, caring less about how they affect others and more about whether they are comfortable; or they do what comes unnaturally; use their hurt to better understand and encourage others while they cling desperately to the Lord for promised deliverance, passionately determined to do His will.

 

None of us like to feel pain and feel the hurt from others we have tried to reach out too.  In fact some of us refuse to make emotional connections.  We think that will help keep us from hurt.  That really keeps us from living though.  It is the little things in life that bring us joy that comes from connections.

When you know that person is waiting for you.  It makes a difference to their day that they were able to share a quick smile.  A small sharing of your worlds.  A small gesture that says I am glad you are in my life.  An idea that you would be missed if you did not show up.  The idea that others may enter in to their life that day but you are one of the joys of that day.  Yes, there may be a day of pain because a misunderstanding happened the day before.  This can never erase the joy experienced from the many days before.  So remember the days of joy and forgive the pain.

 

Ephesians 6:24

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org