Tag Archives: finding joy

Taking A Back Seat To Your Children

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noWdKwHCJA0

In my younger days, naive and immature, I cared more about my men’s softball team than my oldest son’s T-Ball game.  Thus, as other men were coaching and influencing my son James, I got lost in trying to relive and hold on to my youth.  Learning the hard way, I realized Father Time couldn’t be beaten before I took a back seat where my children could be in the forefront.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, Philippians 2:3.

Unfortunately, too many young men never see the light, blinded by selfish ambition.  Fueled by pride, egos cause adults to remain the center of attention, long after their own high school graduation.  While hanging out in bars reminiscing about the Glory Days, far too many children are growing up without a role model to emulate.  Subsequently, teenagers often look toward pop culture to find meaning in life, only to be disappointed in the long run.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full, John 10:10.

After hearing the phrase “its better to give than receive” countless times throughout life, I finally tasted a piece of this fruit over the weekend.  As a proud parent on Sunday, watching my children all place in the top 3 of their age group, with James earning first, 11th overall, in the 2015 Blue Hen 5K, I realized all those times I went jogging with my kids finally paid off.  Although I was the only one in the family who didn’t medal, it didn’t matter.  I found joy in taking a back seat to my children, observing each one begin to find their niche, place and calling in life.  If you haven’t taken your seat, find one soon.

by Jay Mankus

 

The Anointing of Joy

Children tend to wear their emotions on their sleeves.  Subsequently, youth experience mountain top moments of jubilance and valleys of depression.  This topsy turvy twist exhausts one’s confidence, going from sky high to as low as you can go.  Thus, the presence of joy is like the temperature, rising and falling daily.

Recognizing this in adulthood, King David sought a permanent state.  Troubled by his own problems in life, God introduced the king to a special anointing.  Whether performed by Samuel or Nathan, his predecessor, Psalm 45:7 discloses an anointing of joy.  While the information is limited, perhaps this Old Testament practice is similar to Jesus’ words in John 10:10.

In an age of economic instability, parents like me struggle to find joy.  Lost in a sea of debts, the devil has become successful in stealing my joy weekly.  Thus, I find myself desperately seeking an anointing of joy.  Perhaps, we find ourselves in similar states, brought to our knees by the burdens of life, Matthew 11:28-30.  May the Holy Spirit counsel you until your worries are replaced by joy, John 16:12-15.

Please share how God has helped you find joy to help overcome their own trials in life.

by Jay Mankus

Finding A Place Beyond the Rainbow

As a child, watching the Wizard of Oz was an annual event, terrifying at times, haunted by the wicked witch.  Yet, I always hung in there for the finish, expecting the fairy tale ending.  However, I wonder if any other grown ups still think there a better place some where over the rainbow.

According to King David, this place does exist, like heaven on earth, Psalm 23:6.  Once an individual is able to place their sole trust in the divine shepherd, access to a life beyond the rainbow is attainable.  Though gold is not mentioned, happy days are here again and again, staying in daily fellowship with God.  This spiritual anointing is symbolic of rebirth, living life to its fullest, John 10:10.

Unfortunately, life deals out more nightmares than fairy tales.  Sure, from time to time, miracles do happen, but its hard to have faith in a world full of people falling apart at the seams, oozing a trail of sin in their rear view mirror.  This negativity serves like a bad after taste you can’t get rid of with gum or mints.  Rather, hope lies in the beholder, seeing beyond the current shower into what is ahead, the rainbow.  May you experience this joy before you die, Luke 23:43.

by Jay Mankus