Last week I talked about mom and her special parakeet Jingles. Think about the word “jingles.” It can mean a light ringing sound made by metal. One of mom’s pleasures was her bell collection. Each bell rang differently, and I have a few of her bells that remind me of her. The bells were another insight into who mom was. Bells often make joyful sounds because of the way they are made.

Mom also had a life that rang out with joy. The sound waves from her acts of kindness and words of love impacted many in a positive way. Although mom did have much she could have complained about, she did not let her circumstances change her perspective about her life and her purpose.

When I read John Piper’s devotional about joy, it revealed many of the reasons mom bubbled with joy. The verse for the devotional was, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

Fifteen Tactics for Joy –
John Piper’s Daily Devotional on May 1, 2019

How shall we fight for joy?

Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.

Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.

Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.

Learn the secret of gutsy guilt — how to fight like a justified sinner.

Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.

Meditate on the Word of God day and night.

Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.

Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.

Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.

Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.

Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.

Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature.

Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.

Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).

Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

Mom’s life “jingled” with joy. Perhaps that is because she fought for joy as John Piper suggests.