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Edward Goode's avatar

I originally wrote this post about a month ago and goodness did I need the reminder of it this morning. There's nothing wrong with seeking to find places of joy and laughter in the midst of the stresses that our world is bringing right now. So now, maybe more than ever, find that place to splash in the water, find the next Bluesmobile, or some other way to let hope enter your body through joy.

One thing that stirs for me as I write this today is going back to a baptism we did for a 1 yr old boy named Mateo a few Sundays ago. After I did the actual baptism and was sharing the blessing prayer for him, the little dude just kept reaching back down to the water and wanting to just splash his chubby hands in the water. I'd lean him over to splash and then bring him back up to continue the prayer and then he's reach back down towards the water. And we did that pretty much after every line of the blessing. He continued his joy filled baptism by clapping and laughing as the congregation clapped. It was beautiful, joy-full, and hope-full.

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Brandon Medley's avatar

In catching up on both the book and these posts, I am writing this in mid-August, the week in which Tim Walz became Kamala Harris's running mate. I've seen so many people post about how they fill hope for the election and our country again and they credit the joy of this campaign with that feeling. Harris herself has talked about joy on the campaign trail. That is what I thought of as I a read this chapter.

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Edward Goode's avatar

Joy is beautifully contagious, isn't it? So hope can be as well!

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My Walk's avatar

So true always find joy wherever you can, for g d sakes have fun & good around while your at it too. Enjoyed this piece, thank you. Don't we all need our spirits lifted these days. 💞

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My Walk's avatar

Good around, dang auto

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My Walk's avatar

Goof around, auto's goofing around with me today. Maybe that's a g d wink it does seem to fit with the theme of your piece. 😂

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Edward Goode's avatar

Divine autocorrect...

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Barbara Schwartzbach's avatar

Play is essential for positive relationships.

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