There’s nothing like “good memories” to keep you going while you’re living out the soon to be bad memories in life.
When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given two weeks to live by all the expert doctors in New York, he said something peculiar to everybody, from the doctors, the counselors, the chaplains. He said, “Make a joyful noise.” He followed that up with, “I got Jesus, do you have Jesus? Let’s talk about Jesus in your life.” And my favorite line, “Can I pray for you [insert name of person who came to give him grief counseling]?” My brother and I fought with, and urged him to save his energy at the time, but little did we realize that he was just following the wisdom written here by King Solomon.
And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15 ESV)
When joy comes doing what you are born to do because you have confidence in your relationship with your Lord and Savior, Jesus, then there is always something to lean on when you’re at your worst. As the cancer ate away my dad’s flesh, and as he struggled to eat and drink, Jesus became his source of joy and empowered my dad to bring joy to by-passers in life, who didn’t even realize they needed it. I’m sure there was a lot of joy in heaven when my dad finally passed away and joyfully delivered the good news to souls who will one day join him in heaven.
The good times will get you through the bad times.
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