Pure Joy

Acts 2:28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.

Philippians 4:4  Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!


I was reminded of pure joy this weekend. I saw this joy in the faces of my sweet niece and nephew who were visiting this weekend. My niece is almost 3, and my nephew is 8 months old. Little children are so pure in their emotions! 


My sweet niece would look at us, absolutely beaming, with joy and delight, and say "Hi!" But the catch was that she didn't just say it when she first saw you, she would say "Hi" many, many times -- even when she had been with you for a while! But there was a look of pure joy in her eyes and a sound of such joy in her voice every time. How we would bless the LORD if we praised Him with that same delight throughout our day!  


My nephew is equally adorable. He smiles, smiles, smiles. Almost all the time. But when he makes that first eye contact, he absolutely beams with an uncontainable joy. And this sweet little 8 month old shared his joy with all of us. It was breathtaking to watch as he looked up at his parents with such trust and joy. A joy that absolutely radiated. Wouldn't it be wonderful to beam with uncontainable joy for our LORD?

Watching them this weekend, I realized God was showing me pure joy.  

I invite you to think of that look of joy a baby or small child shows...  that child-like joy which absolutely radiates. Now, that is the kind of joy I want to have and show for my own Heavenly Father!  


Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what pure joy looks like on the precious faces of children. Oh, how I pray that I may have that same beaming look of pure joy as I praise, worship, and follow You for all of my days!  Amen.