The Key to Joy

“Today is Gratitude Day,” the announcer said jovially over the radio. At that particular moment I was busily applying mascara, enveloped in the morning rush before leaving home for work. Still, his words managed to grab my attention.

You see, this was January, not November, the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the USA. So, what was this guy talking about?

“This is the day we remember to say ‘thank you’ to someone who’s done something nice or good for us,” he said, before moving on to the next segment in his show.

But his words stayed with me, and during my commute I reflected on the subject of gratitude.

Gratitude is like a window, that once opened, lets you see beyond your living room walls, revealing a different view and a new perspective.

Interestingly, a few years earlier I'd spoken about the subject of joy at a women’s Bible study. In order to prepare for my teaching, I read about and researched this subject extensively. During my teaching, I mentioned several sources of joy as well as several attitudes and situations that can hinder us from experiencing this fruit of the Spirit.

I felt so good and satisfied when I heard the audience applause after my delivery!

The next morning, while reading a devotional book by Donna Partow, I discovered that despite all of my research and apparent thoroughness, I had failed to mention a key ingredient during my teaching.

“If you want to experience joy,” Donna wrote in her book, “be grateful.”

She got it, and it was so simple!

I continued to drive and to think about the radio host’s announcement earlier that morning, and about what he’d said about taking the time to say thank you.

Whom did I need to thank? The list was long. How often did I stop to say thank you? This list was very short.

I figured I could start by thanking God for allowing me to hear the announcer's words that day – a much-needed reminder for sure. Then I could move on to elaborating a mental list of all the people to whom I should express my gratitude.

As I approached the end of my commute, I paused to thank God for the joy thanksgiving brings.

And just like that, my heart began to bubble with delight.

Christmas Gifts

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, NIV)

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?

Traditions vary from culture to culture and from family to family. In my country, Guatemala, children and adults alike enjoy putting together “nacimientos” – colorful nativity scenes made up of tiny houses, moss and figurines. In Mexico they celebrate with lively “posadas,” and here in the US we love to bake cookies and decorate our homes with hundreds of twinkling lights, inflatable Santas and giant snowmen.

Though the manner in which we celebrate varies extensively, the Reason does not: God the Father gave His Son so that mankind could have life, abundant and eternal. Plenty a reason to rejoice!

There is one element of every tradition that is always present – no matter what side of the Globe one lives at – and that is music. Choirs sing sweet carols. Happy melodies liven up friendly gatherings. Favorite songs play on radio stations, filling our hearts with both joy and melancholy.

For me, listening to Christmas music is one of my favorite traditions.

I love to bake and decorate my home while playing my most beloved songs. And while commuting, I shake my shoulders and bob my head unashamed as I belt out at full volume, Feliz Navidad!

The other morning, as I drove to work, I silenced the radio and stopped singing for a minute to thank the Lord for this wonderful Season. This is indeed a very special time for me and my family.

Then I heard, This is my gift to you.

“I know, Lord,” I replied. “ I’m very grateful for your Son’s birth, such a precious gift.”

No, Ana. The music is.

At first, these words seem a bit contradictory. Musicians use their gifts to compose their songs, I reasoned, and then they present them to God and to the world as love offering of joy and gratitude.

But Who gave them these gifts in the first place?

My heart about burst as I pondered the answer and the image that played in my mind’s eye. When my children were little, I used to take them to the store to buy presents for the family. Even though they chose the gifts they wanted to give, I was the one who paid for them.

Memories of tiny pudgy hands excitedly handing those presents to their loved ones on Christmas morning helped me understand that – ultimately – every good gift comes from God.

Even Christmas music.

It is my wish that this blessed Season you too will discover that God is the Creator and the Giver of all gifts. And it is my prayer that His love will fill your heart with joy, your home with warmth, and your mind with peace.

Grateful

One day, back when I was a child and still lived in Guatemala City, I went to visit my friend Annie. When I arrived at her house, I found her at the piano, teaching a boy to play a song. Her friend struggled remembering the key progression and soon threw his hands in the air, yelling, “This is stupid!”

Annie put her hand on the boy’s shoulder and ever-so-kindly encouraged him to try again. I was blown away! The kid was being a jerk, yet she showed him unmerited gentleness – something I wasn’t used to. “If that were me,” I fumed, “I would’ve slapped him instead!”

But not Annie.

Three decades later, my friend’s patience and kindness still inspire me – especially since those two are not my most prominent virtues. Throughout the years, when faced with situations that tend to bring out the worst in me – irritating customers, screaming toddlers, hurried drivers cutting me off on the freeway – the memory of Annie’s sweet attitude still causes me to stop and consider taking a higher road.

On that note and on this Thanksgiving week, I’d like to mention those people who’ve shown kindness (and lots of patience!) to this many-a-times irritating, sometimes unlovable, even unlikable human being.

I want to thank my extended family, especially my parents, for putting up with me when I acted real ugly (particularly around 13) and for making me feel like I could reach any goal I set my eyes on. You guys are the best.

I want to thank my husband Ron, for choosing me when I thought I wasn’t worth a second look, for being the best daddy ever, for putting up with my mediocre cooking and marginal housekeeping, and for making me feel pretty. I love you, Dear.

I want to thank my children: Gracie, Ronnie and Nick, for bravely enduring the distinct experience of being reared by a mother with attention deficit and a foreign accent and still manage to come out halfway unscathed. You guys are my heroes and the joy of my life.

I want to thank all my friends, for loving me, for laughing at my bad jokes and awkward sense of humor, and for making me feel like I’m great. Life would be so sad without you.

I want to thank my gym buddies, for always setting up for me before class because I’m never there on time to do it myself, for cheering me up when my arms and legs are shaking so bad I want to quit five minutes into class, and for telling me I look great even though I’ve put on a few pounds. You girls rock.

I want to thank my clients, for trusting me with your own clients, for your patience and flexibility as I continue to learn the trade, for your guidance, and for blessing my family with the fruits of our collaboration and with your generosity.

I want to thank my church family, especially my pastors, for loving and accepting me just as I am, for godly teachings and wise counsel, and for giving me a chance to use and grow my gifts so that I may experience the pleasure of serving others. Each and every one of you is an inspiration.

Above all, I want to thank my Lord Jesus, for saving my soul and giving me an abundant life, filled with peace, joy and hope.

And to Annie who, along with her example, told me about God’s love for impatient and unkind people like me. I will always be grateful to you, no matter where life takes us, you will always have a special place in my heart.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Love,

Ana

Dedicated to my dear childhood friend, Ana Isabel Nisthal Georgakoudes, who married a great guy, has four amazing kids and now lives in the island of Cyprus.