Two friends were making plans for lunch at a local restaurant. One said to the other, “And I thought we’d invite J. since that’s one of her favourite eating establishments.”
“J? Are you sure? ”
“Well, no, that’s why I’m running the idea by you.”
“She’s always so upbeat and positive. ”
“That would seem to recommend her, wouldn’t it?”
“But what if we just want our own pity party? ”
“You mean what if we prefer being negative and pessimistic today? ”
“Yeah, or just plain cynical!”
“Then she would be there to redirect us. Besides, what do we really have to pity ourselves about?”
“But what if the facts of our lives are grim ones, do we always have to put a smiley face on it? ”
“No, only if it will help us not be quitters.”
“I have no intention of giving up on life or people, or of giving in to my desire to get even, but I don’t want to have to enjoy it as I go through it!”
“But at least having J. around presents us with the choice.”
In the end all three friends went to lunch together and were so engrossed in animated conversation that they were slow in eating or should we say “savoring” and the last to leave the restaurant that afternoon, winning a coupon for three free desserts. Oh by the way, the three friends were named Patience, Longsuffering and Joyfulness and were regularly seen in each others company around the town.
(Colossians 1 verse 1) “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”