What Does Joy Have to do With Doing Dishes?
by John Van Regenmorter

Standing on many kitchen counters is a plastic bottle of dishwashing liquid called Joy®. Isn’t it rather odd to call a dish soap Joy? Is there anything less “joyful” than the job of scrubbing greasy pots and pans? Why would Procter and Gamble call their product Joy?

Isn’t it because the word “joy” has “good vibes”? As J.I Packer states in his book, Hot Tub Religion, “Joy is a word that makes one feel bright, and when washing dishes, one needs bright feelings.”

Packer is right! He also suggests that the word joy has this effect because it connects us to the deepest desire of our heart. We desire joy. We were created for joy. We will never be satisfied unless we have joy!

But what is joy? Contrary to popular belief, joy is not the same as wearing a smile. Joy is something we can possess, even while our tears strike the ground.

Nor is joy the same as “being happy.” Things which make us happy – fun, recreation, a good job, a beautiful home – are all subject to change and loss. Joy is a permanent possession.

According to Packer, joy has four characteristics. First, joy flows from the assurance that we are loved. No one can have joy who does not believe that he or she is valued, accepted, and cared for.

At Bethany, we understand this truth. We know how important it is for all children to know what it means to be loved, and this understanding motivates us to find adoptive and foster homes for children who have not known love. Above all, it is our hope that children and families in this imperfect world of imperfect families will know what it means to be valued and loved by a perfect Heavenly Father.

Second, joy comes from accepting one’s situation in life. People who are always whining about the way things are rob themselves of joy. Joy comes from believing that God ultimately works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Third, joy comes from having something worthwhile to possess. If nothing you have seems very worthwhile, then you will have little joy. Spouses, children, friends, the ability to work and enjoy life, are all possessions that can help us experience joy. But even if we have none of these, we can possess something worth more than all of these put together: an intimate relationship with the God of the universe and the assurance of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Fourth, joy comes from giving something worth giving. Our self-absorbed society might not understand that giving is a source of joy, but it is. Is there anyone who has given something worthwhile in Christ’s name who did not experience joy in the giving?

Speaking of giving, was there ever a gift more worth giving than the gift of the Savior? Undoubtedly there was not only joy in the hearts of those who received the gift, but joy in the heart of the Giver as well.

During this Christmas season, may you and those whom you love experience the message of “good news of great joy!”

welcome

Out with the old, in with the new, website that is. Let me explain. One monring early last November I tried to open crconnect, the with the .org, and discovered it had been taken over by another organization. Up to this point we have not been able to get back on. For the time being we are here.

It is a shame this has happened. We were getting better known all the time. The average download for the last few months was 50,000 KB/month

We will upload an essay by John Van Regenmorter, and the material from November. Afterwards we will continue to write commenting on things of interest and matters CRCNA. If you know others who regularly visited the former site, please let them know.

Arie C. Leder