Devotion Dec 5

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

     

      Working in the travel industry for over forty years, I was very fortunate to travel the world and experience other countries, cultures and traditions.  I was especially in awe when visiting some of the Caribbean Islands.  People seemed to always have smiles on their faces and warm greetings for you.  They are hard working, many for very long hours each day for little money in comparison to our standards.  Their homes are modest and material things are not so important or a priority.  They are happy with what they have and proud of their families.  They have joy in their hearts.

I often pondered Why? Why can’t we be like this? Why do we obsess about things?  Where are all the smiles?

It is like these small islands are on another planet than ours, maybe it is all the sunshine.

I always felt my faith renewed after my travels, reflecting on my life and how I live it usually brought me some small change.  I try to find the joy in life and be thankful for it.  I hope you find the joy this Christmas season.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for those little islands that bring so much joy to many.  I pray that you could bring joy to all of us and put more smiles on our faces.  Amen.

   - Jean Harrison