If you know Ryan in real life, you
know what a completely infectious laugh he has. When he starts laughing, he can’t
stop, and he’s loud and joyful in it. It’s one of my favorite things about him,
actually.
People
ask me sometimes if he’s always as happy as he seems. He is. He wakes up in a
good mood and unless something is just really weighing super heavily on his
heart, he’s always smiling. Always laughing. Always filled with genuine joy.
He
told me this weekend that when he was at work a few days ago, he was part of a
meeting. One of his coworkers came into the room where the meeting was being
held and said to him, “I wasn’t sure where this room was, actually, but I just
followed the sound of your laughter until I found it.”
I
don’t think he meant for that story to have a profound impact on my heart. I
think he just meant for it to be an amusing story. But it made me stop and
think hard.
This
woman knew the sound of Ryan’s laughter because she hears it all the time. She
hears it because he lives a life of joy. And she knew she could count on him to
keep laughing while she followed the sound to the room where she needed to be.
The
Bible encourages us to live lives of joy and says that the God of hope fills us
with that joy. So my question to myself is this: am I living in joy? Am I so
filled with joy on the inside that it bubbles over and shows on the outside? Do
I live expressive joy often enough that people recognize me for it? And most of
all – is it drawing them? Not to a room for a meeting, but to the presence of
God?
May
I show the love and joy of Jesus to those around me. May I lead by example so
they can follow the sound of my joy and find a reflection of Jesus when they
get close to me. It’s something I need to work on more and more. I know this.
But I’m sure grateful for this word picture Ryan provided (even unintentionally!)
to me this week.
Let’s
overflow with joy!
4 comments:
Several years back before we moved to be closer to our family, I was retired, home alone and often blue. I found your "Spill the Beans" podcasts. I just have to say they always brightened my day and made me laugh out loud. I loved to hear you and Ryan talk and laugh. It was such a blessing and what I needed at that time in my life.
Susan - Thank you so much for brightening my day with this sweet note! We were just talking about the podcast this weekend. We miss doing it (and having the time to do it). Maybe one day God will reopen that door. But I am so thankful it was what you needed, when you needed it! Thankful for your kindness in sharing! - Bekah
Years ago, a person shared with me a negative and hurtful comment that a mutual acquaintance had made about my laugh. For weeks, I was very aware of every time I started to laugh and would quickly smother it. I have since worked through that and have come to embrace my laugh. It's loud and obnoxious and I love it.
Ali - I am so so sorry for that hurt! Words can be so cutting - and permanent. I am so glad you have learned to embrace your laugh!!
Post a Comment