One of my favorite stories is about a young priest who went every week to visit two elderly nuns in the hospital. They were as different as day is from night. He looked forward to visiting one of the nuns, but the other - he felt a lump in his throat just thinking about her.
He arrived at the hospital and decided to get the worst out of the way first. Upon entering the room he could tell that the elderly nun was not in a good mood. "Good morning sister!" "What's so good about it," she replied, "You're late, the nurses won't do anything for me, and the doctor is useless." The priest lowered his head and said a pray under his breath and sat down. The nun complained for half an hour - one complaint after another.
Finally the priest saw an opportunity to make his escape. A nurse came into the room to administer some medication. He politely excused himself and left. He went to another floor of the hospital to visit the second nun. Upon entering her room his eyes were fixed upon her smiling, glowing face. "Is that you father?" "Yes it is me sister; how are you today?" "Tell me," she said, "Is the sun shining today?" "Yes it is sister." "I can tell. I can feel it in my heart and on my face as I sit next to the window. It is such a wonderful day in the Lord - don't you think father?" The spent two hours laughing and talking, and sharing in the joy of God's wonderful presence.
There was really not much wrong with the first nun - except some phantom pain which the doctors could find no explanation for. But the second nun had serious health problems: she was blind, confined to a wheel chair, totally dependent upon others for her mobility, and dying from terminal cancer. There was nothing that could be done for her. She would soon die. But visiting with her never felt strained. She often talked about her death in the most joyous way - as if she could hardly wait to meet Jesus.
The second nun discovered the secret of Gods joy upon her life in that she did not allow her circumstances of life to determine that joy. She found joy in the midst of her suffering because of her faith and trust in Jesus. Jesus was her true reward and goal in life - even to the very end.
Sunday's message is entitled: "A Cup of Joy in the Morning." It focuses on verse 11 & 12: "You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy; that my heart will sing to you and not be silent. O lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."
Usually the state of our lives in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. My prescription is to have a cup of joy [of the Lord] in the morning and give Him thanks for the rest of the day. Don't be like the first nun, a prisoner of her pain and suffering. Life passed her by; and she missed out on so much joy in Jesus.
Have a cup of joy!
Blessings,
-Leo
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