God Calls Us to Scatter Joy Like Seeds to Others

When I was growing up, my mom would always say, “Jennifer Joyce jump for Joy!”. I always liked the sound of that and have always tried to embody that spirit of joy throughout my life. It has not always been easy. Life gets in the way. My mom could always tell when I was not joyful by the tone of my voice when I would call. So, why do you think that God wants us to scatter joy like seeds? God never said that the journey of this life would be painless. However, I do think that through our pain, we can learn and grow in our faith. Remember, our life on this earth is short compared to the length of time that we can have with God in heaven. So, it is in that spirit of love that God gives to us, we are also called to show our joy to others.

Did I say that it would be easy? Of course not! By lifting others up then we can also gives ourselves a lift as well.

Consider this……. the tree or flower does not say to the seed that it can only go to one particular place or another. It doesn’t tell the seed that it can only be planted in one spot or another. No, the seeds go where the wind takes them. The seeds share their joy in the journey of being free to go when and where they please and to be planted when and where they please. Will all seeds grow? No, but their purpose is to try. (Related post: Seeds are a promise of progress) We are all called to do the same. We are not to be bound by one way of doing things but are called to love all, just as God loves all. We are one people and so, we too, are called to scatter the seeds of joy to others.

How can we do that?

You can show kindness to a stranger by helping in some small way, give a smile and a wave to a passing car, and say prayers for your country, your leaders and fellow citizens. You can help an elderly person in need or a mother who is struggling to calm a cranky child and shop at the same time. You can show interest in another person by just asking them about their day. These are just some of the many examples that you can try. In this life, you can make a choice to scatter seeds of joy and positivity by the actions that you do. God is in His people and how we treat His people, reflects who we are as well. Is it always easy? No. However, don’t let those who are negative get you down; instead, pray for them because they are, most certainly, in need of God’s love.

What did I learn from this? I think that the hardest part of spreading joy like seeds, is sometimes I, myself, might have to “fake it till I make it”. I know that I am not going to be joyful all the time. However, I have found that it is in giving that I will receive the joy back when just a small gesture from me can bring a smile to someone’s face. I can’t help, then, but smile back. The same goes that when I pray for that person who is snarly and grumpy, they might not know about it, but I do and in doing it, then I know that I am, at least, doing something for them. Just that one little thing can give me a boost as well.

So, what can you gain from this? Being joyful is contagious! Who can’t help but laugh at adorable animals and babies? They give their joy all the time without conscious thought. That is what we can gain. In gaining that joy and then sharing it, we can’t help but make this world a better place to be for ALL of His children!