A Merry Heart

Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (KJV)

When I hear the word 'merry,' it always brings to mind the line in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Bob Cratchit has come into work late the day after Christmas.

Ebenezer questioned him, "What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?"

Bob tries to placate by saying, "It's only once a year, sir. It shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir."

This crossed my mind today as I left my friend's house this afternoon to head to a doctor appointment for my son. You see the past two Fridays my two friends and their kids and mine have gotten together to bake cookies. Both days were filled with a lot of joy and laughter as we worked hard to make cookies, but also had a lot of fun in the process.

As I was driving I was thinking about what I could blog about for today's advent devotional. My mind took hold of the idea of having a merry heart. I know before I left the house this morning I was feeling weary and overwhelmed by things I still would like to get done, as well as need to get done. But as I left this afternoon, I realized that I had been refreshed. Our time together was like a dose of good medicine.

I also thought about Jesus when He walked this earth. I can't help but picture Him with a twinkle in His eyes as He told stories to His disciples. I'm sure there were many times that He had a merry heart. As we are down to just several days before Christmas, I pray that I will hold onto that merry heart.

ACTIVITY
Spend sometime doing something that will give you a merry heart.

PRAYER
Thank you Lord, for friends that help to give me a merry heart. May I be that for someone else as well. Amen.