With
the windows wide open I watch my darling toddler take delight in the fragrant
wind blowing swiftly across his joyful face.
He giggles aloud as he sings a song of joy in a language that only he
can understand. As I watch his
expressions through the rear view mirror my heart skips a beat. It is then, in that moment, I deliberately
stop to give thanks for this child and my heart is filled with joy. I have experienced true eucharisteo. We meet the school bus at the edge of the
road where the big boys gather in the car.
We are back on the road with the windows wide open, wind rushing through
our hair, this time three beautiful boys dancing in their seats as we sing at
the top of our lungs, “gonna meet salvation station in the sky!” As we rejoice together I know my voice is
lifting praises to his name, for He has given me much joy.
I
found myself immediately able to identify with that very joy Ann writes about in
the beginning of chapter 9, the kind of joy that radiates from an innocent
child. “The joy of small that makes life
large.” (p.167) As Ann reflects on the
joy one can experience as a child she brings us to the reality that in the day
to day adult world we can be left asking the question, “How to live in the
state of awe when life is mundane and ordinary?” (p168)
Suddenly
reality strikes once again, knees become stiff and the moment of peace is
shattered. We then see the contrast in
the lament of David, the complaint of the Israelite and the numbness in the life
of Naaman. However, Ann reassures us
that, “God holds us in the untamed moments too.” (p175) She writes, “True lament is blind faith that
trusts Perfect Love enough to feel and cry authentic.” (p176)
Perhaps,
my favorite part of this entire chapter is written on page 176. “While I may not always feel joy, God asks me
to give thanks in all things because He knows that feeling joy begins in the
action of thanksgiving."
“Dear brothers and sisters when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2
“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again! Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
“Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42
This has truly been a chapter of giving up our expectations.
“God
created the world of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make
something out of us.” Martin Luter King (p163)
My
dear sisters, what will he make out of you?
I
pray you will open the palm of your hand, bend at the knee and accept His
abundant joy. May
you be blessed,
Michelle
There were so many things that I connected with, enjoyed and was inspired by in this chapter. I have definitely had the 3 ft tall photographer vying for the camera to capture things from her perspective - and yet I've never come to the deeper reflection that Ann does...
ReplyDeleteOn page 172 when Ann talks about God exalting Himself and giving more gifts, which further humbles us and God gives again, the cycle is so true... This week, especially, I have felt humbled, yet again, with the gift of motherhood and the awesome responsibility and the wonder of our Creator.
As we're learning more and more about eucharisteo and thanksgiving, we are equally learning about all that stands in its way... Trust and fear stand in opposition to each other in our pursuit of eucharisteo, grasping for control or surrendering and seeing God in control are also rivals.... and this week it's learning about the struggle between pride and humility.
The image of joy as a flame in our palm and the tight closing of our hand in pride, selfish ambition and gain or the opening of our hand in humility and obedience... is an image that will stick in my mind. I must assent that I have certainly squashed joy in my pride and selfish ambition in the past.
To opening the hand and receiving the joy...
I'm a little behind in my reading this week. I was reminded as a child being challenged to 'close your eyes and hold out your hands'. As I waited in anticipation, sometimes the fear of the unknown over-rode the eager anticipation of joy and I would feel my fingers slowly start to curl inwards.Fear hinders us, the unknown hinders us even when we have every reason to expect something good rather than bad. We still hesitate and limit our joy by slowly closing our hands. Not allowing ourselves to receive all the blessings and joy we could experience.
ReplyDeleteChrist held open His hands to receive the nails on the cross, surely I should be able to humble myself, trust and hold my hand open to Him. He who wants only good for me, He who loves me more than I can ever understand. Thank you Lord!
Holding my hands open, maybe a bit shaky, but uncurled this week!