God's Glory Church

“A joyful heart heals well.” — Proverbs 17:22

For three years, on weekday afternoons, Colleen dresses up in various costumes or masks to meet her children as they get off the school bus. This makes everyone on the bus happy, including the driver. “It’s just amazing how much joy it brings to children,” he shares, “and I really like it too.” And what to say about the children of Colleen herself!

It all started with the fact that a young woman began to take boys for education. Knowing how difficult it is for them to separate from their parents and go to a new school, she decided to meet the children in funny costumes. After three days, she wanted to finish the “performance”, but the children began to persuade her to continue doing so. So Colleen continued. It took a lot of time and money to buy new costumes, but, as journalist Meredith Terhaar writes, “the result – children’s happiness – was worth it.”

One short verse from the book of wise and sometimes witty advice that King Solomon left to his son summarizes the results of this mother’s invention: “A joyful heart heals well, but an oppressed spirit dries up the bones” (Prov. 17:22). Bringing joy to her children (biological, adopted and adopted), Colleen tried to rid them of their “oppressed spirit”.

The source of full and lasting joy is God, who works in us with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 10:21; Gal. 5:22). He gives us the ability to shine God’s light and bring people joy, hope and strength to overcome trials.

Think of a time when someone gave you joy. What was the result?

Heavenly Father, thank you for heavenly joy. Help me spread it to others.

By Alison Kieda