Share Joy - It's not All about the Money

 

Spread Joy! Yes, we all find that spreading joy often includes money that makes the world go 'round, but we can all agree it's not about the money even though that meets a need. I recently got to spread a little around to a young person, which made her instantly burst into tears. The backstory on me, is I have some medical issues, and sometimes I have someone come in to help me clean-clean the house. In life God has a knack for sending people to us that we can either relate to, share advice with, and/or just flat out bless. Well, there was a certain someone I instantly knew needed something from me. It ended up being what I was raised to do - share kindness and give of my time. Her job can be lonely and simply talking uplifted her spirits, so to speak. Without divulging her personal experiences and in honor of keeping her privacy, I will just say that having a dad who dealt with severe mental illness, alcoholism, and who ultimately committed suicide when I was just twenty-one years old gave us plenty to discuss while cleaning the house. We both share trauma.

This is not a post on boasting my ability to hold a conversation, because my parents always said I could "talk to a wall" if need be. Nor is it a post on shelling out money, because I have definitely gone without myself from time to time. This is a post about bragging on God. When we let Him speak in us, and shine a light through us, wonderful things happen. So, the times she has been in my home, we have talked while working. We talk about random stuff like any other conversation, and we have also talked deep on the effects of dealing with angst and physical illness. In the end, she thanked me for just being a good ear and sharing my time. Wait - I was supposed to be thanking her for helping me, right? After all, she did come to help me out. However this day was a day for her to be blessed, which in turn blessed me.

So when the time came to call it a day, I handed her over a lovely tip. I told her that I knew I didn't know her well yet, and not to expect this tip every time (I generally try to lighten a mood with laughter as a coping mechanism,) but that I felt God impress me she could use this the moment she walked through my door, and handed the money over. She instantly burst in to tears! I asked if I could hug her, to which she nodded yes through the tears (because God is bigger than Covid!!). My small sacrifice was of epic proportions to her, as she had just had to pay her rent late I found out. 

So when I urge you to share JOY it is about your ability to share love outside of yourself. Sharing joy is about restoring faith in humanity. Sharing joy is about being blessed because your are a blessing. Whether you are a jokester, a mentor, the non-“PC” call it like it is friend, the “I just want to love on you” friend, or know in your gut (AKA from the Holy Spirit) you are to share with purpose, know it will never fall on infertile ground. Especially after the ups and downs of “2020” share joy!

Until next time ~ Nikki Smith