Sock Monkey

Sock Monkeys have been around from as early as 1932 when ingenuity combined with the trade mark Red-Heel sock from the Nelson Knitting company. The company was acquired by Fox River Mills in 1992 and this company still produces red heeled socks and sock monkeys but with one small distinction. The heels on the older socks were not as uniformly oval, but had end points thus giving original sock monkeys a permanent smile. It is a look that works really well for a sock monkey. For humans however, a permanent smile would be incredibly shallow, superficial and inauthentic. There is absolutely no promise in life, and certainly not in scripture, that life will always be rosy, nor that we must face it with a grin. Scripture, however, does speak of something far deeper and more profound and that is joy. Joy, in a biblical sense, is not superficial. It is not just being happy. Joy is a deeper reality stemming from our relationship with the Lord, the fruit of a Spirit filled life, living out His will and purpose and trusting in His promises (and this only scratches the surface!) It is not simply an emotional response to our situation and circumstance but is often experienced despite them. It is also not a naive response that ignores reality or hides behind masks. Joy acknowledges reality while celebrating God’s character and His work and His promises. We may not have permanent smiles like a sock monkey, but we can have joy in all situations.