We live in a world in need of more joy, love, understanding, and humanity. So what is something that brings you or your loved ones joy in life? Maybe getting home after a long day or work travel and there are people who are happy you are back; or your favourite dinner.

We all can relate to the feeling when the person we have been thinking of responds to our message, or receiving a sentimental gift or a handmade card, or do you like to have late-night conversation with friends?

All that has to do with love, even if things are not always perfect. Imperfection strangely is a good thing. Life is not about being perfect. There is a saying “perfection is the enemy of good enough”, meaning that perfection can destroy so many good things.

Equally, perfection is not necessary for love. It might even be hindering it. Perfect love is the result of imperfections. Love covers a lot of issues. Love can teach us that the bad times don’t last for ever and sometimes things work out for even better endings.

In Romans 8:28 (NIV), we can read: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

For people of faith there is always a better day to come, a hope that opens our eyes for the future. That has a lot to do with love, with the love we have for God and his love for us. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

At the same time, love can be confusing. Gary Chapman says in his book The 5 Love Languages — The Secret to Love That Lasts, that “love is the most important word in the English language — and the most confusing”.

That is so true. We know life gets messy and busy and tiring, yes, but it’s also beautiful and we can enjoy so many precious moments and build memories that last. For our families that is true as well. Families are knit together by a very specific kind of love, a love that cares about the needs of each other.

Again, Chapman says in his book: “The object of love is not getting something you want but doing something for the wellbeing of the one you love.” That is the love of a parent who takes care of the family, creating a home for them. Love creates a special bond.

Albert Einstein said: “Having a place to go is a home. Having someone to love is family.” And Michael J Fox said: “Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.”

Sure, we all know that families also have flaws and some of us might even have experienced a difficult family or had to suffer because of one member of the family.

Especially when neglect or even abuse is happening, we have to realise that family means more than just relation by blood. Just because some people are related does not mean they are family, in my opinion, but family happens when people who are related let love be their major objective. When true love reigns we can overlook a lot of small imperfections.

Remember the saying: don’t sweat the small stuff. In these particularly trying, chaotic times it is natural to feel a little down and perhaps even the smallest things send us spiralling downward more than usual. What can we do to prevent that?

One option is to make mental and written notes of all the simple things in life that bring us joy, the love we actually experience, what we can give the Lord thanks for, especially the people in our life who are special, worthy, and unique.

The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV): “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I am full of joy these days. My daughter and her husband came with our 8-month-old granddaughter to visit. What a bundle of joy, and we all experience that joy. A child is a little miracle. It teaches us to appreciate the little things.

Thus I try to be more aware of what is good in my life, even if it is just that first sip of coffee in the morning, a great song on the radio, the great memories it might be associated with, like childhood memories or places and people we love. Remember how it feels to be in a warm bed when it is pouring with rain outdoors, or the finishing of a good book, or just a caring remark.

To me, it is an antidote to the pessimism and chaos around us. I want to learn more about love and joy and trust. It helps to overcome the dividing powers in our world.

Many people exercise regularly to strengthen their body and to build themselves up. It even releases endorphins that make us feel happier and satisfied. That is great. I invite you to go one step further.

As Christians we can learn how to strengthen our spiritual life as well — activate it to motivate us to become more Christ-like: kinder, friendlier, more thoughtful, more balanced, managing our stress and worry by looking to God for support and motivation, to seek out others who can help us along the pathways of life.

We can begin with simple prayer, a word of thanks and gratitude towards our God who grants us a new beginning, a new start into the life ahead of us. His grace and mercy wipe out our shortcomings and mistakes, so that we can wake up with a grateful heart.

He really loves us. God seeks us and wants to have a relationship with us through his Son Jesus Christ. We are not alone. Through Jesus we are invited in a new family, in God’s family. God wants us as Christians to be like true brothers and sisters to each other, who sow love by caring for one another.

May God continue to bless you, Bermuda.

• Karsten Decker is the temporary pulpit supply at Centenary United Methodist Church in Smith’s