“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” -John 15:11
We have been on vacation in the desert, surrounded by palm trees and mountains. Cool breezes welcome the morning and the hot sun warms the pool for afternoon swims.
I never want to go back home.
It is hard for me to face that feeling, but there it is.
There is trouble, though, even in paradise. Last Wednesday a life guard scooped Boy 3 from the pool after a waterside was more than the child had expected.
He was unfazed by the whole affair, and kept swimming as usual. My eyes refused to leave his cocky grin and dripping hair. My mind memorized the way my love for this adventurous boy makes my heart tread the choppy waters of life more bravely.
I sat in the quiet later that night, and told God I needed Him after the emotional day. I asked for His voice, and I turned to Isaiah 11 in my Bible.
I felt at home again in all the best ways as my soul crawled into that beautiful description of Jesus.
Sometimes I feel that my children are a gift from God to us. Other times I think that Mr. Fantastic and I are God’s gift to them. I suppose both are true, but only because He first is the gift that saves us all from what could be.
Jesus has scooped us all out of dangerously deep waters, where our strength fails us and everything would be darkness without Him.
In my deepest heart, I don’t really want to stay here, away from the stress of our daily life.
Palm trees and pools are lovely, but my faith is set on higher things. My heart has memorized the way His love for me makes me brave, and I step out on the choppy waters, embracing His will and leaving my own behind.
I never want anything but Him.
It is hard to face the difficulty of living that, but then again, there it is: my joy made full.
