So, it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy
Joy!
I have one grip about people. They never smile. They seem Joyless. I know that this is not totally true because I am friends with many people. Some live with pain, cancer, divorce, death and frown and look mad. There are some people that live with these things and have a smile on their face.
Please note when you go to the store the salesperson there is always smiling. Why? The reason is simple joy is contagious. You have no idea what emotional state the person is presently suffering and rejoicing. When you speak to someone of Christ and His teaching and the lessons you have learned in your life and witness to another person. Remember to smile.
The people that I try to be around are those who have a smile on their faces. They have problems but there is joy in their hearts. Look at the Pope. He is serious and prayerful, but Joyful. There are some who criticize him who are always mad or take issue with the Gospel the Pope preaches. These people do not have joy in their hearts.
Nonetheless, I am here to proclaim more joy in your lives. Yes, there is sadness in my life and my wife, Anna’s life. She is stage four cancer. Nonetheless, there is joy in both our hearts. Not because of death, but because we are witnesses to Christ’s love in our lives and our marriage. We do not know how long she has but we know that her death may be sooner than we think from a visit to her oncologist this week. She may try a short dose of Chemo, but we know that death is inevitable.
I don’t have words to change the sadness of the eventual death of my beautiful bride. In the meantime, we will smile and tell the world we love each other and give the reason is our love of Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. We may not have words of comfort but we do have a smile of comfort. Keep Smiling to the World and spread His joy.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Pope Leo XIV. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace! The impossible could and can happen. (Saint Rita) Never deny God! Pray for justice for immigrants! Pray for justice for our President and all government officials! Pray for Peace!
