The Joy Challenge: Day 12 - The Smell of Happy

I'm deliberately finding joy for 40 days. To start from day one click here.

Yesterday as my husband and I left for dinner I thought, "I should have put on perfume" Then I recalled a bottle of Clinique Happy I had in our bathroom cabinet...

photo by Clinique

I got this perfume around the time we were married. I kept meaning to use it. I'd think, "This is just an ordinary day--I should save it for a special occasion." Every once in awhile I would allow myself a little bit but most often it stayed hidden away.

Then one day I decided I'd use it all the time. I pulled it out and sprayed. But it didn't smell the same. After years of being left saved up it had lost the fragrance I loved.

I realized I often do the same with the happy (joy) in my life. I think, "I need to save it up. I can't be joyful over this little thing. I should wait for something big." I somehow fear that joy can be used up and then when I need it most it will be gone.

I allow myself a little joy here and there but I have this fear of spraying it with abandon, embracing it every day, letting it be the perfume that sweetens my life and the lives of those around me.

But what if I get to the end of my life and realize my joy bottle is still full but it's too late to use it?

I wore Happy when my husband I were dating, and every time I smelled it I thought of him.

I want joy to remind me of the Lover of My Soul too. After all, it's His gift to me.

So I'm choosing to pull joy out from the cabinet of my heart and let its sweet scent remind me of the One who brings every blessing to my life.

Would you like to join me in the Joy challenge? Just share one thing that brings you joy. I'll have random giveaways for people who comment or subscribe during the next forty days. And you never know when it could be you...  

Comments

[Heather]

Love the analogy!

My husband brings me joy. His smile, his laughter, his humility. I thank God daily for giving him to me as a my protector and best friend.

[C.C.]

Day 4 for me! ...and you know what??? I find myself thinking about joyful things throughout the day instead of burdensome things! God is good!

http://his-heart.blogspot.com/2009/09/joy-challenge-day-4.html

[Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect]

What a perfect analogy, Holley. As my marriage has grown and improved over the last couple of years, I've realized that I don't laugh with my husband. I used to laugh with him all the time. And so I've been learning to laugh with him again. It's the same sort of thing - learning to be joyful again. Why do we forget?

[Katie]

I am by nature a serious, thoughtful(meaning always deep in not so deep thoughts) kind of person. My kids often say (unfortunately) that I look mad a lot of the time. In reality I am often focused on one thing in my mind so intently that I guess it comes across in a serious look on my face.
Well I have good news- God is oh so sweetly,gently and tenderly changing all of that in me. When we ponder, are thoughtful, about the things of God, people see Him in our countenance. On the other hand when we are pondering the things of this world, I guess, according to my kids, we see the weight of the world on our face.
I am joyful today that my Daddy God is drawing me to hide more of His word in my heart, that He is shifting my thoughts out of this world and on to Him.
That I am learning that, yes, it's okay to laugh. It's pretty sad when we laugh and think "Boy that feels good, I haven't done that in awhile." I am determined not to let that be what defines this mama, but that a smile on my face and a song in my heart is what my kids think of when they think of me. That "joy unspeakable" comes from Him.

[Fiona]

Joy for me today is knowing that God knows the big picture and that he is in control of the timing of the big picture....I don't have to worry about a single thing - even if I am tempted to.

[Linda]

Beautifully said Holley. Joy is one of those things that seems to multiply as it is used up.
I wrote about knitting today. It gives me joy!

[Monica @ The Writer Chic]

How incredibly awesome is this post?!? I love it. And you've just doubled my enjoyment of wearing Happy -- yep, I own it, too! Now, not only will I enjoy its fragrance, but wearing it will remind me of you, dear friend, and the lesson of joy that you are reminding us of so dilligently this month. Thanks, Holley. Keep it up!

[~Grace & Peace]

Joy is coming in to my bible study group and seeing a number of books by the fireplace.

"Oh, are these the books we are planning on studying next?"

"No, I'm giving those away. Pick however many you want."

So I came home with 3 one by Elizabeth George, "Life Management for Busy Women: Living Out God's Plan with Passion and Purpose" and the one I am really excited about - "How to Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur. I heart books!

[Yolanda]

Holley - What a beautiful post and what a wonderful reminder after a long day at work! A lot brings me joy - my husband, my daughter, my cat...and little things like a freshly sharpened pencil, clean, blank paper, a really cold iced tea, watching "Friday Night Lights", laughing so hard it hurts. What a beautiful find your blog is...you inspire!

[saii]

:)
beautiful post :)

[Linda]

Joy for rain so I didn't have to water flowers, joy for discipline that got my house cleaned last night, joy for a few moments to sit on the recliner and drink a cup of tea, joy... to fall into a comfortable bed and sleep. Thank God for them all. Thanks for the reminder to use some of those special things so we don't lose them all together.

[Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home]

I do exactly the same thing! Why are we saving it?

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Holley, What a lovely illustration of life you just brought to us through the Clinique perfume you hid for a long time and did not use until just currently. That's a great message for all of us. We must not keep beautiful things hidden for a long time and use then later! The scent and beauty might have gone stale and gone by the time we thought to use them! Best to use good things while they're fresh so as to bless others! Joy tomorrow will be going to City Life Church in Wantirna. I will have my self all groomed and use my Mary Kay cosmetics at the same time and a dash of shades around my eyes for a pefect day! Praise the Lord!

[Beth]

Oh, Holley. We were SO meant to be friends! :) I used to wear Happy....and often saved it for "special occasions." And just recently had to throw out a bottle with just a drop left b/c it had turned to a not-so-happy fragrance anymore.

Thanks for the reminder to be joyful!

[Cindy Fox]

Hi, Holley:

I really appreciate this devotion: "The Smell of Happy." It reminds me that as we receive the sweet blessing of Joy from our Savior, we are to be the sweet aroma of His joy for others. I have much joy in the little, simple things. I am thankful that it doesn't take much to bring out the joy in my heart. Praise God! God bless you richly!

[Rainin'Grace]

Holley:

Clinique Happy - one of my favorite fragrances with that lovely hint of orange and spice. I can almost smell it now. I can certainly see putting it back, to savor for later and indeed there are things in my life that I have put away, things that I know inspired others that need to be taken out of a cupboard, and used daily again. There is no telling how far reaching that mist might hang in the air, and once again bring joy to others.