Feelings?

For Thursday, November 4, 2021

Proverbs 10:1 CEV: “Children with good sense make their parents happy, but foolish children make them sad.”

Solomon is stating the obvious. We all want strong families with successful children. We want to be able to brag about each other. In comedy, there’s the stereotypical Jewish mother always introducing, “My son, the doctor!” The Message simplifies it: “Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.” Actually works for both sons and daughters, and fathers and mothers.

But Mick Jagger sang the reality of the situation: “You can’t always get what you want.” Any family member can let you down, making a bad choice from time to time, and probably will. And the question is, “How does that make you feel?”

If you’re already filled with the joy of the Lord, momentary sadness won’t take you off track. If you and God are OK, if you’re doing the right things for the right reasons, let the joy of the Lord shine through! Be proud of your self-worth! Don’t let someone else control how you feel today!

Happiness can be fleeting, but the joy of the Lord is eternal!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406