A friend recently asked me while enjoying the charms of my toddler, “Does he bring you endless joy?” I immediately answered, “No. He brings me endless exhaustion.”
I was half-heartedly joking, but my comment replayed in my mind a few days later as Micah hugged me from behind and said, “I cuddle Mommy. I love you.” In that moment while my heart melted, I reflected on the fact that I am not grateful enough for this little life that has been entrusted in my care.
Sure, his energy level needs no Red Bull. Yes, he is cheeky to the bone. The white hairs on my head definitely appeared as his terrible twos began.
But he also has the cheesiest smile. And a great sense of humour. When he cries, he covers his face with his hands and weeps in a way that breaks your heart.
He makes up his own songs: “More cars, five cars, all gone, no cars.” He dances jigs. He tells Roy, “Good job, daddy, driving” and asks me, “Mommy sleep well?” with a sweetness that melts ice cream.
I asked God to help me be more grateful – and thus more joyful – for my children this year.
Joy is a state of mind.
We all can count our woes and complaints. But really, when we pause to remember, we have much to be thankful for – and to rejoice in!
When the Bible writer Paul said to “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4), he was in prison. He was not looking at his loss of liberty or potential death. He chose to focus on the “peace of God, which passes all understanding” (Phil 4:7) and the gift of love and community that his fellow Christians provided through their letters and visits (Phil 4:10). His joy was a choice that renewed and multiplied, resulting in a contagious Christianity that changed the world.
How different my days and relationships would be if I embraced such joy!
