Complete Your Joy By Sharing It

 This weekend we had the privilege of visiting an older gentleman from our church at his new nursing home.

Pastor Bill is a retired minister. He is such a sweet blessing to our congregation, one of the nicest men you'll ever meet.

He adores S. When Niall called him Saturday to ask if we could pop over for a visit, he said, "Don't you dare come without my little baby." :)

So we packed up our little darling and hit the road. After a nice visit, it was time for Pastor Bill to head down to the dining room for the evening meal.

We agreed to walk him down and get him settled. He was one of the last residents to enter the dining room, and as we walked in, I

 felt the eyes turning onto us. A hush literally fell over the room.

Well, really, all of the eyes were glued on S. She was staring at the bright light fixtures, cooing and chatting, happy as a little clam.

Pastor Bill introduced us to the residents at his table, who all eagerly reached for S's fat baby hands, stroking her chubby cheeks and telling us about when their babies were little.

It was precious. Their eyes brightened, smiles turning up on wrinkly cheeks, joy beaming from their faces.

The room was alive with whispers and pointing, and I knew what I had to do. As Niall put it later, it was the right thing to do.

We carried S from table to table, introducing her to everyone, letting them touch and talk and smile and laugh.

The residents were delighted. The next day at church Pastor Bill told us that S was the talk of the evening. One little baby brought so much joy to so many people.

My heart was brimming with joy, happy to overflowing. S brings so much delight to Niall and I. I never knew how one little person could turn our world inside out and make it so much sweeter.

What better way to spread our joy than by sharing it with others? Taking her out, passing her around, boldly declaring that life is precious and children are no burden, but a blessing.

Our joy was complete in sharing it with others.


How do you share joy with others? 

Linked with: Raising Homemakers, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, and Encourage One Another.