Boomerang Joy
A week or two ago, one of my daily devotionals talked about boomerang joy…the concept that what I do to send joy out into the world will, ultimately, bring joy back to me. I loved the sound of that… boomerang joy; I loved the concept; I wondered about the authenticity of the statement.
When the COVID-19 isolation first began and we were practicing social distancing but before everyone was asked to shelter-in-place, the church staff prepared pages of Easter eggs for volunteers to color. Once done, we were to return our eggs to the church office so they could send them out to some of our church family members. Just as I finished coloring my eggs, everything shut down. Those of us who had eggs ready wondered what we should do. Travis sent each of us a list of church members to whom we could mail eggs. I made a little Easter card and noted that since the Easter Bunny wasn’t able to deliver the eggs this year, she assembled a Do-It-Yourself Easter Egg Hunt kit. I joyfully sent the cards on their way in brightly colored envelopes. And in return, I got the most wonderful calls, and texts, and emails… all full of laughter and joy!
During this time of isolation, I have been thankful to be able to worship virtually with my church family, to see the smiling and comforting faces of our pastors and Travis, knowing Denny is working diligently behind the scenes to keep everything running. Because I have made some Care Calls, I have also been keenly aware that some of my church family don’t have the opportunity to participate in these services. “How,” I wondered, “will they celebrate Easter?” That’s when I decided to make a Happy Easter sign to share with one of my Care Call buddies. And while I was at it, what about some bunny ears and a bunny tail? Hmmm… having done all that, maybe there are some others who need a socially-distant Happy Easter. Crafting the sign, ears and a lovely tail (the photo doesn’t do it justice) gave me Great Joy. And then Jack and I “took our show on the road,” and joy abounded!
Boomerang joy… the concept that what I do to send joy out into the world will, ultimately, bring joy back to me. And so it has! The joy that I have found in preparing to send joy out to others has come back to me several times over. Boomerang Joy! It’s a new concept for me, but one I hope I will now make a part of my life.
God of Joy, thank you that there is still joy to be found in this time of frustration and stress. Grant each of us the ability to seek opportunities to bring joy to others, and make us mindful of the boomerang joy in our everyday lives. Amen.
My wife, Deb, submitted a devotional to our church for its daily newsletter while the congregation is staying home and avoiding large gatherings. I thought it was good, and she got several compliments from church friends, so I thought she should publish it on Medium. She said it was fine, so long as I did it. So here it is!
