Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, recently a friend shared how her grandkids helped her discover that she was making no effort at all to express joy and happy feelings when she spoke to them, or even to the rest of her family. She shared that one little granddaughter was so excited when she knew that her Grandma had made them some lemonade to have for lunch. She said that she noticed 'Mary' was breathless and so excited, that it even took her breath away! And another day, how happy her grandson was when Grandpa had found a toy he'd lost; and how he had danced and bounced with happiness and joy.

My friend continued on: "Their excitement and happiness in these and many other instances opened my eyes to how unresponsive I was in my communications throughout any day."

So - Grandma', decided to put some joy to her voice instead of grumbling her usual "morning" to her hubby. She decided to give him a hug and said a few nice words to him - even called him her handsome hubby. Well! That surprised him and he gave her a hug and a kiss. Then he asked if she'd go to the store with him - which he didn't always do. He was surprised again - when, this time she answered. "Oh, I loved to go with you."

Later that month, she'd read 2 Corinthinans 9:2: "Your enthusiasm by now has spread to most of them"; she knew things had changed; she now felt that the Lord had helped her speaking reflect the joy that she often felt but had never made an effort to express it.

My friend also shared that she doesn't utter every sentence as though she's won the lottery, but she feels that she's put more pleasure into her daily conversations and is sure Jesus approves; those of us listening to her, also approved.

Love, Mara