Mindy Lee Hopman

 These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  John 15:11 (NIV)

Quietly my grandfather leaned over and whispered in a gentle voice, “naches.”  I looked at him with big eyes, wondering if I had heard him correctly and what the meaning was behind the word.

“Joy,” he softly said.  When a child brings much joy or delight to their parents or grandparents the Yiddish expression for the emotion one feels is “naches.”

Naches ~ a deep emotional expression spoken out of the fullness of one’s heart. 

My grandfather’s Jewish teachings are priceless.  I could sit and listen to him talk for hours.

Sweet joy and pure delight was what he saw when he looked at me.  My eyes welled up and all I could say was “thank you.”And then I knew the feeling.

When my son does something helpful for his sister or to a friend, or when my daughter helps my sister with her little ones ~ a feeling of sweet joy overwhelms my soul.

We love our children unconditionally, however they delight us when the love they feel deep down in their souls pours out on others.

As my children bring me joy, do I bring joy to The Father? That’s when I realized that “joy” for this season is not about having more joy, but rather about bringing joy.

When I act out of the fullness of my heart, I bring my Heavenly Father great joy, and joy flows down in abundance.

It’s letting God fill me with the fullness of His love, so that it overflows into everything I do and everyone I meet.

It’s loving my husband the way he deserves to be loved, cherishing my children, and being available for all of them.

It’s cleaning up the kitchen, keeping up with the meals & laundry, and teaching my children that responsibility begins in the home, because one day they will have their own home to run.

It’s about honoring Him in the workplace by giving 100% and loving people the way He sees them ~ unconditionally. 

It’s about knowing Him well in order to trust Him through the difficult times and praise Him in the good times.

It’s about understanding that my sins were forgiven on the cross and I walk in pure freedom today.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2nd Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Joy was created on the cross and imparted when I first believed.  I have joy.  When you believe you have joy!

When you believe, He gives you the Spirit and a fruit of the Spirit is joy.

He created us perfectly in order for us to bring Him joy wherever He places us.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 (ESV)

When our souls knows it well, our Heavenly Father receives naches and deep joy abounds from within the crevices of our hearts.

Heavenly Father,
I praise you for who You are and who you made each of us to be.  I praise you for my grandfather who continues to pass down his wisdom to me.  I praise you for your perfect ways, and for creating us with joy.  Thank you for helping us understand that you give joy the moment we believe.  We have joy! May my actions and words reflect the fullness of my heart, so that you receive naches. Joy is found in the fullness of Your love on the cross and it’s Your joy that overwhelms my soul.
In Jesus’ Name I Pray,
Amen

Reflect & Respond:
~ Many people say that they have “lost their joy.” Do you remember how you felt the moment you first believed?  What has changed since then?
~ Our God is a forgiving God.  On the cross He forgave you for your sin – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  You bring God naches just for being you ~ His beautiful creation!  He gave you joy when you first believed.  He loves you unconditionally, but we grieve His heart when we make choices that do not honor Him.  Are you honoring Him with your actions and words?

Additional Scripture:
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.” John 16:20 (NLT)

Basking in His Light

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