I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy Joy...

How much joy do you experience in your life?

Do you let worry and plans and ought-to's get in the way of your joy?

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is on this earth?

I may be able to tell you what it is in one word: JOY!!!

When you give someone a gift, what do you want them to do with it? I have a feeling you want them to enjoy it, no? What do you think God wants you to do with the gifts he's given you? Don't you think He wants you to use them and enjoy using them? And He wants you to use them to give to others and glorify Him!

Sometimes I think that I just don't know what my "spiritual gifts" are. I really don't enJOY that feeling. It makes me feel purposeless. But I usually come around to remembering that when I am giving from a place that brings me joy, then giving is a true blessing for me and the recipient.

So, when you get in a funk, here is a little exercise you can do that will help you to remember where to find your joy:

1.)List five things you enjoyed doing as a child.

2.)Remember five truly joyful times in your life.

3.)List five things you would do if time and money were no obstacle.

4.)Try to find some commonality among these answers.

If I you gave me a gift and I just tossed it in a corner to collect dust until I got other stuff done or because I just didn't want to deal with it, I would be disappointed. Totally bummed. I wonder if that's how God feels sometimes.