It was a very hot day, sweat and irritation was in abundance. Traffic was hectic and the A/C in my car was not cooperating either. I had to run so many errands and since the baby sitter was on leave, I had to take a day off and take my 4 year old son wherever I went. I was just hoping that he behaved well the entire day because I was definitely not in a good mood.

I had to pickup a book for my friend who was celebrating her birthday the next day, so I ran to the bookstore, (Remember I was literally dragging David, my son along with me) and the check out line was very, very, very, long. I did not want to drive to another bookstore to avoid the long line because I did not want to get "fried" in the heat again.

The checkout line looked like a giant snail to me, I looked at my watch so many times that I thought that even the watch looked like a snail. I could not smile at anybody nor could I interact with my son because "I WAS TOO IRRITATED," I wanted to finish all my errands. Everyone around me, also, had a tired and irritated look on them. My son who was trying to get my attention by talking to me about his school, his friends, the beautiful sun, butterflies, a little girl, sounded too boring to me. How rude can I get huh?

I finally had it, I turned towards my son to tell him to just be quiet because his joyful chatter was giving me a headache, but he just smiled at me and started singing "JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW........YES! JESUS LOVES ME, YES! JESUS LOVES ME.." He was getting very LOUD. At first, I was embarrassed, because people turned their heads towards us, but then I noticed that the heat, the long line or my mood hadn't affected my little son. He "basked" in the joy of the Lord and his singing was a natural part of that joy! Everyone turned and as they looked at David , they smiled at him. Soon everyone were smiling, (even I was), the line seemed to get shorter, the checkout person was wishing everybody a good day and it had became one.

My errands list looked shorter, my mood was better, I picked up the book and hugged my son who reminded me that Jesus Loves me and I need to pass on His Love and not my irritation on others, because He is there to take care of me, I should just enjoy all the situations and keep praising Him. When I stepped out of the building.. it seemed like a cool cloud was passing by.

The joy of the Lord can change any bad situation into a pure joy, next time you are down with depression or just irritation, just start humming, Jesus Loves Me.....(it worked for David, it will work for you too, because Jesus is definitely there to take care of us).

Caroline Naoroji

The Joy of the Lord Makes A Difference..

I want to thank Caroline for her wonderful story. She is right! Our attitude can change any circumstance. When things are difficult for us and anger, frustration or irritation sets in.. we need a change in attitude. That isn't easy to do without God's help but sometimes all it takes is a simple song.. a song to remind us that God does love us.. That He is in control.. and He is there to see us through every problem, every frustration and every circumstance.

In my home office.. I have a panic button.. when things seem to get out of hand you are suppose to push the button and all the stress is relieved and the beginning of the solution is at hand. What does the button do? It simply plays "Yes.. Jesus Loves Me.."

So when things get out of hand.. start humming.. even sing out that old familiar chorus.. "Yes.. Jesus Loves Me.." and you see a change.. not just in you but in everyone around you!

Remember.. Jesus loves you.. and so do we.