“Happiness is like a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
Over Spring Break our family visited The Butterfly Palace in Branson, Missouri. How incredible it was to learn about how much these delicate creatures can accomplish in the 3-4 short weeks that they live. They flitter through this world for just a moment, but what joy and beauty they bring in that moment! It really is inspiring to think of what joy and beauty we have time to offer the world.
Of course, joy can be elusive for many people. How can we fill our own hearts with joy so we can allow that joy to overflow into the lives of others? Countless self-help books and seminars cover this topic, but why is it that joy still seems to slip through our fingers?
The Bible makes this ever so simple. Ecclesiastes 9:7 says, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” Did you catch this? We don’t have to find joy, because through the grace of God we already have it!
As a child of God, you have His favor not because you earned it, but because He gives it to you freely. He has filled your life with joy…all you have to do is embrace it!
Walk outside and let the sun warm your face. God’s favor is there…can you feel it?
The Artistic Christian 
Reblogged this on ChristianBlessings and commented:
Amen let us catch His joy and pass it on.
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It is a joy to take in the beauty of the blue butterfly in the picture. God’s grace-filled favor does warm like the spring sun. Thanks for your lovely message.
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And your comments always put a smile on my face! Things have been hectic this spring, and I appreciate your stopping by. Have a blessed day!
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Hi John, this is Masha (Maria) Hemmerling. I enjoy reading your posts and would like to invite you to share your thought, your posts with my FB group.
I am the owner of PaperPaint&Palette Inspirational Online Art Studio and I have created a closed/private FB group called “The Binding Agent” https:/www.facebook.com/groups/TheBindingAgent/ for all those who have subscribed to my website http://www.paperpaintandpalette.com. I would like to offer you to bring your blog posts to our group, if you’ll find it suits your vision.
I want to offer my subscribers the best and the finest support in their journey as Christian artists, Christian art teachers, homeschooling parents who teach art to their kids and to the missionaries who witness about Christ through visual arts. I think that your posts will be great encouragement to my little group that I plan to grow (I just started it few days ago).
Please let me know what you think about it. Thank you!
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Marsha, this sounds like a truly wonderful idea and I’d love to be a part of it! Just let me know what you’d like me to do!
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John, thank you for your reply! I would like to apologize for not answering back for so long – I never got an email that alerted me of your reply (I guess I need to work on my email alerts settings).
Thank you very much for being willing to participate!
Please go to my:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBindingAgent/ and I will add you to the membership and you will be able to post your blogs as often as you’ll wish.
I am so excited to see your blogs on The Binding Agent!
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Beautiful, John! I love the wisdom and perspective in this post! Yes, we have all we need for life and godliness… just a matter of embracing it, as you say, by faith! Thank you for this extraordinary reminder! God bless you, my friend!
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I adore butterflies. A great way to get my attention. Love the Ecclesiastes 9:7 reflection. A very enjoyable read.
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Thank you for that encouraging word! I’m glad you popped in!
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What a nice, simple explanation of Joy! I wish more folks would realize that being miserable isn’t what God wants
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Yes! He gives us every opportunity to find peace and encouragement in Him and rise above…but so many would rather wallow in the mud. Couldn’t agree with you more!
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