A professor gave a balloon to every student, who had to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. The professor then mixed all the balloons. The students were then given 5 minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, no one found their balloon.
At that point, the professor told the students to take the first balloon that they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within 5 minutes, everyone had their own balloon.
The professor said to the students: "These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people's happiness, we'll find ours too."
(The above story was copied from a FB post)
Would that this lesson was taught by more professors, teachers, parents, etc., around the world! It brought to mind a plaque my parents had hung in my childhood home.
By putting others first, not only do we find our balloon - as in the professor’s illustration - we also find purpose and joy!
Do you think the Lord wants His children to be joy-filled? Yes, that was a trick question. The words joy, joyful, and rejoice appear approximately 430 times in the Bible! That’s lots of reasons for joy!
In fact, if we take a minute each day and look up one of these Bible verses, we’ll find it’ll take us more than a year to read every one of them! That alone gives me joy!
Please allow me start the 430 reasons for joy with one of my favorites.
“Nehemiah said, Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10, NIV)
This verse was recorded after a difficult time in Israel’s history. The people hadn’t heard the Word of the Lord in a great while. Under Nehemiah’s prayerful leadership, God’s people rebuilt the wall. Now was the season of celebration.
Notice from the words of Nehemiah that the people were to enjoy the Lord’s provisions AND give to others too!
There again we find how to have J.O.Y.
Such a lovely story and what a good lesson!
Wow! What a great way to remind us to think of others! Have a blessed day! :-)