Art of Being Joyful

                                                    5 Thimbles by Paula Grizzell DeMarini

          I read a great book. I am not a book reviewer by nature. I do love to read but, with life the way it is in our household right now, I don't have much opportunity to read for pleasure. I am usually studying about what or how to teach a particular subject to my kids. Or I am researching a topic for someone (usually myself, my husband or helping one of the kids).  Then of course there is the time I should be reading my bible. Well, I an aunt of mine posted on Face Book about a book that one of her cousins wrote about her childhood. She said it was good. I was intrigued. She is family and she is writing about my family-some I know -some I don't. I would love to know more about. I was really thinking it was going to be more about family history. A little geneology. I even e-mailed my aunt to ask her about the book. She said it was interesting to her because she knew everyone and it was what was going on when she was growing up. But, maybe not so interesting to me, or someone that didn't know everyone one.  

         Well,..... Sorry Aunt Feda to say you were not right. I loved the book. My husband really loved hearing the stories. He even said he wanted to read it when I was done and he doesn't really read those kind of books. Yes, there were people I knew the names (my mom was mentioned once) but, the story and the heroism in the book brought such intense emotions. I was struck by the theme of gratitude in the book. The joyful way she wrote about such difficult events and topics that was her life. Her life was anything but, rich and happy in the way you and I look at it. The mother in this story encouraged me to be a better mom. One that doesn't complain so much. One that doesn't get discouraged by such trivial things. This mom didn't know the meaning of ME time. She devoted her whole life to the care of her children. This isn't a sappy, sacrifice yourself for all of those around you to be a great person. It is a sacrifice yourself for the furthering of others and yourself will be furthered in the end. 

"But, many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then." Matthew 19:30 NLT

(For my purest family. "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." KJV)

             This book is a MUST read for those of us struggling with what it is God is doing in our life and why he isn't trusting us with so much more. Beware if you buy the book and don't tell me, you may be getting one for Christmas. I liked it that much. And beware of the effect in your daily life it may have on you. You may suddenly look at your life and those around you much differently. As well as, you may suddenly want to do some mission work. Local or far away. There are many here that really need help. Food, blankets, sweaters, water, a bible, etc. What would have been different for the family in the book if more had participated in their well being? How many DID participate in the help and care of them? This is actually how a village helps to raise a child. 

             Please take the time to read this inexpensive little paperback book and let me know how it effected you. And First cousin once removed Paula Grizzell DeMarini, what a fantastic perspective you have. Your willingness to right kindly about unkind things and people was amazing. You have a gift for saying things in a joyful manner. I hope I can learn and be so kind.