Joy: An Assignment

When we were kids, Care Bears was big. Our cousins and I picked a Care Bear that each of us related to the most. I picked Funshine Bear.

In second grade, I was given one of those end of the school year awards that our homeroom teacher gave out, such as "Smartest" or "Most Thoughtful." I received the "Most Cheerful" award.

My friends would tell me that I had so much spirit, and that my energy was contagious. Some even said that I was a joy to be around.

But by far, the greatest compliments that I ever received in this "Most Cheerful Category" were: 1) when Edison told me that I make him happy; and 2) when Edward prayed one night, "Thank You, Jesus, for my Mommy who makes me feel special."

However, it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago when it actually hit me. Right in the middle of our team’s holiday lunch, our boss commanded attention when he read his traditional year-end poem. There were only a couple of verses for each team member, but I remember him saying that I was very responsible in organizing our office, and that whatever else that I was doing at work, I always had a smile on my face. I had to actually pause and reflect: Does my smile really have an effect on people? Could I actually be a fountain of joy? Could this be another gift from God that I can use to serve Him?

I used to think that the best way to serve the Lord is to dedicate my life to teaching. So when life led me to the business world, I didn't know how to reconcile it with my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. I wrote Anto:

I used to be set in my ways. I had to be a teacher, period. I could never imagine myself working in the business world because I was very intimidated by the whole thing. I used to think that the only boss I could ever have in the business world is someone like Donald Trump - very scary!

What best way is there to serve the Lord than by teaching? I've always had a great admiration for teachers, so I’ve always wanted to be one. God bless the person who wrote the testimonial on me on our Highschool yearbook: “With an iron fist and a warm heart, Audrey is sure to be one of the counrty’s finest teachers.” I don’t remember the exact words that were written, but those words remained in me. I wanted to prove myself to everyone that I could fulfill my destiny of actually becoming one of our country’s greatest educators.

I reflected on that a few weeks back: I left the country AND I never pursued teaching, so I probably will never become one of the Philippines ’ finest teachers… I must admit that I was a bit sad. But maybe the Holy Spirit descended upon me that day because a quote just landed in my hands: “Little is much if GOD is in it.”

Then I thought, compared to my own BIG “Serve-the-Lord-by-teaching-and-be-great-at-it” standards, working in the business world may be “little,” but GOD is definitely in it! You know how it all started (you’ve probably read my blog about it)… and everyday, I offer everything that I do to the Lord. So I know that this career path may not be a part of my original plan, but He sees my heart and He knows that all I ever want to accomplish is to serve Him.

So wherever He wants to take me, I’ll just follow Him. I still haven’t given up on teaching all together. There is still that passion in me. But I will pursue it when He leads me there, in His time...

So I am really thankful for my boss' year-end poem. It somehow validated that I am indeed serving the Lord by bringing cheer to my workplace. This is my own way of heeding to Anto's encouragement to try to “be a Jesus to somebody” everyday.

What a great honor, my Lord, to be of service to You – by bringing cheer and sunshine to people's lives; by being a fountain of joy to my loved-ones and everyone else around me.