Bits for Sunday, August 19, 2007

I sat down to journal last night and before I even started writing, I thought, “This was a nearly perfect day.” Nothing spectacular happened. In five years (or five months) I probably won’t even remember August 18th. But that’s okay because it was still a good day, and good days deserve a celebration.

When I picked up my God Calling devotional, I found this among the thoughts for the day: You know the difference between taking a glad, loving, joy-springing child with you along a way, when the child anticipates each direction, accepts naturally each decision as to each turning – and the child who resists, and, rebellious, has to be forced, even though in its quieter moments it may say ‘Yes, I do want to go with you. I cannot be left alone, but I hate this way.’

Those of you who have kids may understand the difference a little bit better than I do. The only trips the kids in my house take end at the vet’s office, and we all cry the whole way there. (Thankfully it’s not far.) But for those of you with human children, I can imagine that a road trip is a lot more fun when the kids don’t start whining before you’ve left the driveway. Back in the day when I lived at home with my parents, they did a great job of planning stops along the way to the final destination. That helped. I always had a little something to look forward to while waiting for the grand finale.

Unfortunately, I don’t always grant God that same “pleasant traveler” attitude. He plans so many beautiful things along the way and I’m so bent on getting to whatever I think the destination should be that I miss all the scenery along the way.

I’ve been mulling that thought over today and I’ve concluded that this whole week has had good turns in the road. It had its rough parts too, for sure. I think some of you are still laughing about one in particular. And that is okay. I’m laughing too…now. There were other parts of the week that brought along a hurt here or there that I could have done without, but the joy-breaks more than made up for the rough parts.

* Joy was holding a five year old in church and hearing her sing loud and clear in my ear, “Blessed be the name of the Lord…” and knowing that she had no clue what she was saying when she sang “He gives and takes away…my heart will choose to say…blessed be Your name…” but also knowing that those words will come back someday when she is older and needs them.

* Joy was finding a super extra low price sale on clothes going out for the season…and not just any clothes, but the clothes I specifically hoped to find…and not only that, but buying a size smaller than last time!

* Joy was a gentle nudge from God calming me down from a statewide search (since the county clearly failed me) for a new work outfit for tomorrow as He reminded me that my source of strength does not come from clothes or shoes.

* Joy was a phone call from one of my friends…when I would never have expected the phone to ring…but when my heart needed a boost the most.

* Joy was having my friend Rachel agree to take time out of her workout schedule to teach me to use the weight machines at the gym and her encouragement over my puny attempts that one day we’ll both look back on with great laughter.

* Joy was staying home on Friday night and watching a movie of my own choosing and having a good cry. (I know, I know. Stupid chick flicks.)

* Joy was sleeping in until my eyes popped open yesterday morning and looking over an entire day with not a single plan that had to be done at any specific time.

* Joy was realizing last night that if I wanted to make the cheesy potato dish, it was okay to do that just for myself and I didn’t have to have a house full of company to make it legitimate.

* Joy was a successful Google search – just to find out that a face from a long ago time seems to be doing okay.

None of those joyful moments signaled the arrival at any destination, but they were still great moments. And I’m putting it high on my list of things this week to try to NOT be the kid God wants to pitch out of the car for excessive whining and complaining. I’m going to try to enjoy more of the journey and worry less about the destination.