Psalm 146:5-10
In my early 30's there was a show called "Ren and Stimpy" which featured what I think was a dog and a cat. I'm not sure if the show still exists, but I used to watch it almost religiously. The show always made me laugh in how it portrayed the usual messages of kindness towards others, good health, successful teamwork, and the like; albeit in an unusual way.
I remember one episode where a young boy who was very sick and probably in his death bed sent Ren and Stimpy a fan letter stating that nothing would make him happier than a visit from his 2 favorite TV stars. Because Ren and Stimpy's motto was to spread happiness and joy to everyone they could, they decided to visit this young boy.
They put on their Ren and Stimpy costumes (which in itself makes me smile as I think about it) and traveled to see the boy. If I remember correctly the boy was from outside the USA, maybe the UK, so they had to cross the ocean. They felt they didn't have the money to travel by ship or plane, so they walked (yes, walked) along the ocean floor to see their fan.
When they arrived at the boy's side he was very sick, barely holding on to life (and if you could see me now I write this with a big smile because of how exaggeratedly funny the animators are in this show). Holding back their tears, Ren and Stimpy say hello to the boy and with one glance in their direction he is cured of whatever it was that pushed him close to death.
I can't explain why, but today's Psalm brought this memory back to me. Maybe because Ren and Stimpy honestly brought a smile to my face and made me feel happy. Maybe because moments of happiness are what good memories are about. Maybe because, I don't know. It just did.
The Psalmist reminds us that happiness and joy come from helping those who are in need. Ren and Stimpy may not have always been about helping others, but in the moments they shared with me they sure brought me much-needed "happy happy joy joy" when it was needed.
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