I’ve spent a lot of time with all six of my grandchildren the past few weeks. We’ve had pool parties, sleepovers, picnics, and birthday parties. And in all the hours we’ve spent together, I’ve been reminded of something: Children are sheer joy.
I know for sure that they bring me joy. Simply seeing their sweet faces always makes me smile—and I suspect that every grandparent will agree with me that grandchildren are one of God’s best inventions.
One night recently as I sat and watched them play and run with delight in the field behind my son’s house, my heart melted as I watched my grandchildren’s happiness at being with their cousins. I thought about some of the life lessons about joy that we can learn from the little ones:
- Spending time with those we love truly does make life better.
- It doesn’t take something big to make them happy. They find joy in the little moments, in little acts of kindness—whether it’s stopping to help a little playmate up when he or she falls or coloring a picture for their parents or grandparents. The same is true for us as adults. Acts of kindness to others enrich our lives.
When’s the last time that we slowed down long enough to truly appreciate the beauty of a sunset, the perfection of a dew-covered rose, or the blessing of a loved one’s hand clasped in ours?
God has given us some reminders—some precious verses about joy in His Word.
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
A merry heart does good, like medicine . . . Proverbs 17:22
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
. . . ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Acts 16:24
What could you do today to bring joy into your life—and to give it away to someone else?
