It’s April 15. Half way through April and that means we are going to talk about the letter “m” today. In her article,[i] Ms. Marquez tells us that when we make our bed each day, we are able to “enhance our sense of order” and by doing so we are calmed. It’s a little win, but it is valuable for our happiness.

This may seem like a little thing. But if this simple task can bring happiness, why not try it?

There is a beautiful encounter recorded in John 5 between Jesus and a man. The setting is the Pool of Bethesda. I love John’s detail of the actual pool. It’s location. Its name. It’s design. It’s use. The only real useful information in the first few verses of this passage is the use of the pool. For healing. And that is where Jesus wound up for this healing moment.

The man Jesus encountered didn’t know who Jesus was. But when Jesus asked if the lame man wanted to get well, this man jumped on the chance to be healed. But he assumed that Jesus would stick around to lower him into the pool. That wasn’t the case.

Okay, this is it. This is when Jesus asked this man to make his bed. Jesus’ actual words were to “pick up your mat and walk,” but these little words had a huge impact upon the life of this man.

In an instant, or as Scripture says, “at once,” the man was cured. And, he picked up his bed and walked. He made his bed!

This miracle changed this man’s attitude from hopelessness to anticipation. From disappointment to excitement. From despair to rejoicing. What a marvelous gift was given to this once crippled man. The ability to lead a normal life.

From this point forward, this man wouldn’t need assistance for anything. He could become independent. He could do as he pleased. To do. To go. To be. What a happiness booster.

That was an important part of this story, but not the most important part. Jesus met up with the man later on and gave him an even greater gift. The gift of forgiveness. The gift of salvation. The gift of eternal life. Wow! An even bigger happiness booster!

Once again, the man could do, go or be anything he wanted, but now with a greater purpose. To tell others of the Man who had healed him and forgiven his sins.

I imagine if we had this same sense of purpose, this same spiritual healing, that we might find our happiness and attitude boosted. At least it should.

Perhaps you are lying by the pool, just waiting for spiritual healing. If so, look to Jesus. He’s standing there waiting. Perhaps it’s time for you to say “yes” to Jesus and pick up your mat and walk.

Perhaps you’ve lost your purpose in life. The excitement of being a believer in Christ has dwindled. If that’s the case, why not ask Jesus to “restore the joy of salvation” to your soul. With a new sense of purpose, you’ll find your spirit lifted.

Making a bed may seem like a little thing, but to this lame man in John 5, it was everything. I pray you’ve made your bed today.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today,” Jennifer Rainey Marquez, Good Housekeeping, Vol. 260, No. 4, page 114.