May

Joy

Our volunteer groups continue to inspire by building friendships and community with each other and our guests. We focus on joy, respect, and love as the foundation of our ministry. What does it mean to have joy? If you look up the definition of joy as it relates to the Bible, this is what comes up:
The word, “joy” is used almost two hundred times in the Bible (KJV) and always in reference to an emotional state of delight, wonder, bliss, happiness, and gladness. We are told repeatedly to be joyful, to be filled with joy and to display our joy.

As joy relates to Loaves & Fishes, it comes in the form of knowing we are serving others. Jesus sets the example for serving others and there is great joy in following his lead. oy also comes when a group of people are focusing on a goal and making sure the goal is met. Monday prep time is an example of a group of people working together to meet a goal. It is inspiring to be part of a group, having fun while preparing the meal and learning more about each other.

We can good naturedly joke around with each other. One example is I get teased, and I love it, that I’m not allowed to use a knife in the kitchen. Chef Louis won’t allow it, really, for my own safety! There’s lots of laughing and joy that goes into our conversations. Recently, the group cutting up strong onions were all crying. I would say tears of joy!

Tuesdays are another example of our volunteers working together with joy to feed a meal to our community. It is joyful to hear from the volunteer groups coming in how welcomed our core group makes them feel and how much fun (joy) they have serving with us. As we talk and deliver meals to our guests in the parking lot, we share our joy creating a loving, welcoming community!

God intends us to have joy while we try to be his light in the world. Proverbs, also known as the book of wisdom, says in Chapter 17, Verse 22, “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” I find Mondays and Tuesdays to be “good medicine!”