The Joy of....

How would you finish that beginning? The joy of.... children? The joy of.... grandchildren? The joy of.... your job? The joy of...

This morning as I often do, I wrote out of a book a story to send out with the reports. The story was about relationships, of course, and friendship. It talked about a salesman who formed relationships with his customers who, years after door-to-door salesmen became non-existent (thank goodness!!) continued to call him to place orders for his products, although they could find a brand much cheaper at a discount store. Friendship - and relationships.

Sometimes families have both - friendship and relationship. Unfortunately, some families only have relationships.

Sometimes you have people in your life who you can not only call 'friend', but have a relationship with them. There are 'close' friends, and there are 'just' friends.

I know I catch myself sometimes introducing someone as my 'best friend' to a person I would introduce to someone else as my 'best friend'. The first time I did that I caught myself - and wondered what my 'best friend' thought when I introduced the other 'best friend' to her. LOL I've learned to try to say 'one of my best friends' - for I hope I have many.

Relationships. We all have them. Some good, some not so good. I guess first of all you need to identify how that relationship affects you. Do you walk away joyful for having that relationship - or do you feel down and sad after you talk with them? Not that what is discussed makes you sad, but that you don't feel the love and warmth other relationships give you.

And it comes in various levels. I have friends here at work that I call 'work friends' and some I call 'good friends' and some I call 'best friends'. Sometimes I am surprised when a 'good' friend will introduce me to someone as their 'best friend'. I also stop and re-evaluate that relationship to see if I am missing something. And there are those that we just call 'friends'. I have a lot of those - and I'm sure you do as well.

The Joy of Work this morning.......... and I have plenty to do. Big meeting first thing Thursday morning and I have 20 binders with about 26 tabs that I need to complete. Nearly done, but got more information in yesterday to insert. Job security? naw, anyone can print and insert papers. But no one does it as good as me. :-)

Think about what brings you joy today. I like to think that in some small way I bring God joy each day. I awoke this morning with my heart singing a song of praise. I love mornings like that. It seems to make my day start perfectly. It is good.

Bring someone joy today. Be a friend.

Blessings!