Prayer for Week of March 4 – Choosing Joy

One time while attending a meeting, Mother Teresa was asked to give a little inspirational message.  She stood up and looked out at the group and simply said that husbands should smile at their wives and wives should smile at their husbands and children.  Someone wondered how she could give this advice and asked her, “Are you married?”  She replied that she certainly was married–to Jesus–and sometimes she found it difficult to smile at Jesus because he could be so demanding! (Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle in Bringing Lent Home With Mother Teresa)

We are going through a Lenten journey with Mother Teresa.  Each day there is a Fasting and Almsgiving challenge for the family, including the children.  A few days ago, the author asked us to fast a whole day without complaining.  Easier said than done.  We just get so used to saying what we don’t like and what doesn’t suit us.  It becomes a way of life.  The other challenge for that day was to give away at least ten beautiful, intentional smiles.  And after we’d given a real smile to someone we were to whisper a prayer for that person.  How lovely!  Not only were we to refrain from complaining, but we had to replace it with the exact opposite–choosing joy and sharing blessings!

My prayer for this week is so simple.  I’m asking Jesus to help me to choose joy.  Oh, people will be irritating and demanding and encroach on my plans.  Things will not necessarily go exactly as planned.  There will be glitches.  But, I think I’ll take Mother Teresa’s advice and SMILE.

Want to join me in a little fast from complaining and a challenge to truly smile at people and pray for them?  It will cost you nothing, but it may just change your world!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

Jesus, we look to You as our example and we choose joy!  Walk with us as we choose to walk  with You.  Help us to replace our complaining with smiling.  What we accomplish this week is really in Your hands, as we surrender our plans to You.  Amen.

(Linked to Women Living Well, Wise Woman Link-Up and Best Posts of The Week)