From where does joy come?

THINK

True joy does not come from things or from possessing, no! It is born from the encounter, from the relationship with others, it is born from feeling accepted, understood and loved, and from accepting, from understanding and from loving; and this is not because of a passing fancy but because the other is a person. Joy is born from the gratuitousness of an encounter! It is hearing someone say, but not necessarily with words: “You are important to me”. This is beautiful.... And it is these very words that God makes us understand. In calling you God says to you: “You are important to me, I love you, I am counting on you”. --Pope Francis

PRAY

God, sometimes I get so distracted by things. I want my family to have opportunities and possessions and I am busy from sun up to sundown providing them. Help me to stop. Help me to breathe deeply and to know  that what they really need is relationship. Don't let me be too busy for relationship. And remind me that the most important relationship they need is the one they have with you.

ACT

Ask God to tell you who needs to hear, "You are important to me" today. Make sure he or she hears it--but don't use words. Remember, you are important to God, who loves you and is counting on you. Do this.