Oh definitely devouring chocolate-chip cookie dough (my husband embellishes this by smashing it between 2 baked choc.-chip cookies and *then* devouring it); making cake batter just to eat it from the bowl; long, luxuriating walks where you take time to notice the scenery and absorb the scents; gazing deeply into starry skies or star-filled eyes of those I love; reading God’s Word with abandon and without a clock, and always with pen and china marker in hand; writing and collaging in my journal; lingering long in front of just one painting at our museum and seeing something new; seeing something new in someone I love or in someone I’ve ignored; daily singing Bach as I practice for my chorus; oh, obviously one could wax eternally here. But I had to tell you, Jennifer, I broke into a joyous smile over this: “Sing out loud in the store.” I do this. I *literally* do this! I sing in stores, in malls, in parking lots, on sidewalks, on elevators. There is *always* a song on my lips, and it can’t help but escape–sometimes to the good-natured chagrin of my daughter, Sheridan. But I do it anyway–and you know what? Joy is contagious, and sometimes she throws caution to the wind and joins right in! Here’s to capturing joy and then letting it escape through our praise! God bless you, Jennifer, for so generously sharing the joy of Jesus! Hmmm…does that mean you are a great escape artist?! 🙂
Hi Lynni…Was amused by your singing in all places public! I do the very same thing! Usually when someone says something that sparks a lyric OR sometimes I sing commercial jingles when I see a product in the store. People usually look at me like I’m nuts…but some people smile and carry on. I’m over 50! I can sing if I want to! I even dance sometimes which makes my girlfriend Sandy kinda nervous. but she likes it.
Going to the mall at Christmas or on Black Friday, not buying a thing but just smiling at people. Hearing a surgeon say “You don’t need surgery.” Receiving affirmation from an unexpected source. Writing a thank-you note (and actually getting it in the mail.) Finding out that my son (who is in Central Asia) will soon have enough bandwidth to Skype often. Getting a piece of mail that was hand-addressed to me. Praying with a patient who then prays for me. Opening the Bible at today’s reading and finding exactly the Word I need today. Wading into my fears and finding courage there. Getting Birthday Day messages on Facebook. Reading this blog!
My sissy and I do crazy things on Black Friday–like run through K-Mart yelling “hurry, hurry” when they announce a red light special. We never do buy much.
LOL, I have a picture of me wearing a pink,feather boa 🙂 I have also shot whipping cream straight into the mouth. When we had our trampline, my husband and I would go out into the dark and lay on it, and watch for shooting stars. I’ve also put the love letters under the pillow.
I haven’t tried purple nail polish yet. . .that can be my next goal;)
The photograph: It is the train of a very frilly wedding dress, from the early ’90s. The dress belongs to a friend of mine, and I took a picture of it at a recent event in which a lot of us displayed our old wedding dresses as a fund-raiser for a local museum.
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You could actually add “wear a feather boa” to any of these and double your joy!
I’ll add: twirl in an alpine meadow!
And this is one of the myriad reasons I love you, Nancy Franson. xo
Chasing fireflies in the backyard with my 2 1/2 year old son.
Yes! We’ve been firefly-chasing in Iowa this week. Love it, Sandra.
Oh Sandra…that’s a good one. Now all I have to do is find a 2 1/2 year old!
Adding more of my faves:
Sparking earrings.
Purple nail-polish.
Tea parties in which we use our English accent.(The girls love this one.)
Playing Bingo at the nursing home. For real.
Love letters under pillows.
Extra bubbles in the bath.
Whipped cream from the can, shot straight into the mouth.
🙂
Oh definitely devouring chocolate-chip cookie dough (my husband embellishes this by smashing it between 2 baked choc.-chip cookies and *then* devouring it); making cake batter just to eat it from the bowl; long, luxuriating walks where you take time to notice the scenery and absorb the scents; gazing deeply into starry skies or star-filled eyes of those I love; reading God’s Word with abandon and without a clock, and always with pen and china marker in hand; writing and collaging in my journal; lingering long in front of just one painting at our museum and seeing something new; seeing something new in someone I love or in someone I’ve ignored; daily singing Bach as I practice for my chorus; oh, obviously one could wax eternally here. But I had to tell you, Jennifer, I broke into a joyous smile over this: “Sing out loud in the store.” I do this. I *literally* do this! I sing in stores, in malls, in parking lots, on sidewalks, on elevators. There is *always* a song on my lips, and it can’t help but escape–sometimes to the good-natured chagrin of my daughter, Sheridan. But I do it anyway–and you know what? Joy is contagious, and sometimes she throws caution to the wind and joins right in! Here’s to capturing joy and then letting it escape through our praise! God bless you, Jennifer, for so generously sharing the joy of Jesus! Hmmm…does that mean you are a great escape artist?! 🙂
Hi Lynni…Was amused by your singing in all places public! I do the very same thing! Usually when someone says something that sparks a lyric OR sometimes I sing commercial jingles when I see a product in the store. People usually look at me like I’m nuts…but some people smile and carry on. I’m over 50! I can sing if I want to! I even dance sometimes which makes my girlfriend Sandy kinda nervous. but she likes it.
I love that you sing in public. I do not have a naturally good singing voice. But I do it anyway. I also am quite good on air-guitar.
Dessert before dinner–I like that:) How about spend the day in pjs?
Oh yeah, Christina! Superb suggestion.
Yes, Christina! I almost included that one in the list. 🙂
Going to the mall at Christmas or on Black Friday, not buying a thing but just smiling at people. Hearing a surgeon say “You don’t need surgery.” Receiving affirmation from an unexpected source. Writing a thank-you note (and actually getting it in the mail.) Finding out that my son (who is in Central Asia) will soon have enough bandwidth to Skype often. Getting a piece of mail that was hand-addressed to me. Praying with a patient who then prays for me. Opening the Bible at today’s reading and finding exactly the Word I need today. Wading into my fears and finding courage there. Getting Birthday Day messages on Facebook. Reading this blog!
You bless me, Cherry. Thank you for dropping some joy over here today. Much love to you.
My sissy and I do crazy things on Black Friday–like run through K-Mart yelling “hurry, hurry” when they announce a red light special. We never do buy much.
How about laying flat out under the starry, starry night? With a hot pink feather boa wrapped round your neck?
I love the way you think, Jillie! Thank you for sprinkling joy in the comment box today.
LOL, I have a picture of me wearing a pink,feather boa 🙂 I have also shot whipping cream straight into the mouth. When we had our trampline, my husband and I would go out into the dark and lay on it, and watch for shooting stars. I’ve also put the love letters under the pillow.
I haven’t tried purple nail polish yet. . .that can be my next goal;)
LOVE the trampoline idea. 🙂
OR dessert INSTEAD of dinner! (homemade apple pie fits this bill)
OR try something that scares you a lot (and bring a change of underwear in case it scares you too much!)
What is your background image on that there signage? It looks like a b&w water reflection…
Blessings.
You make me LAUGH, right out loud! Oh Darlene. …
The photograph: It is the train of a very frilly wedding dress, from the early ’90s. The dress belongs to a friend of mine, and I took a picture of it at a recent event in which a lot of us displayed our old wedding dresses as a fund-raiser for a local museum.
Times spent with good friends. Sheets hung to dry on a clothesline. California Poppies.
Playing With Children! The uncomplicated innocence of children ALWAYS brings extra special joy into my heart. 😀
Curling up in my chair to watch a Detroit Tigers baseball game, laptop on knees, reading your blog. 😀
surprising a friend, or my husband, or our girl with a little something that spells “love” to her/him….
love dessert before dinner…
Sometimes I break out into a dance… My daughters get embarrassed… Coaching kids tends to make this kind of thing a bit easier!
Excellent post. Just the thought of these things lifts a spirit.