A Scoop of Joy

My five-year-old daughter sat at our kitchen table “cooking.” With contentment etched all over her face, she poured uncooked rice from bowl to bowl using brightly colored spoons and measuring cups. Her imaginary culinary treat for the day? Chocolate cake!

She explained each ingredient to me as she carefully measured and poured. And when her cake was almost finished, she added one last scoop saying, “Don’t forget the joy.” I looked up from what I was doing and asked her to repeat what she had said. “Don’t forget the joy,” she replied, her tone very matter of fact.

I stood there surprised and a bit convicted. I did not feel joyful. As a matter of fact, I felt downright crabby and overwhelmed. Sickness on top of an overfull schedule were not bringing out the best in me. Verses from Habakkuk immediately came to mind.

“Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls-
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation. ”
(Habakkuk 3:17, 18)

True joy has nothing to do with circumstances and everything to do with who God is and all He has done for us. I realized Katie was right. I needed to add some joy. I felt led to write my own version of Habakkuk 3:17, 18.

“Though my nose is running, my throat burning,

and my muscles aching;

Though I cough and sneeze, and then

cough some more;

Though my girls want to be crafty

and I just want to be sleepy;

Though my precious daughters are actually fighting

over magnets on the fridge (what is up with that?);

Though I still have on my same shirt from yesterday

and have yet to brush my teeth (lovely);

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

I then began to thank the Lord. I thanked Him for reminding me to fix my eyes on Him. I thanked Him for loving me. I thanked Him for being a God who heals. I thanked Him for little things like snuggling sweet girls dressed in fuzzy footy pajamas and friends who pray for me.

And as I continued to praise Him, I felt joy seeping into my weary heart. My schedule had not gotten any easier. My body had not been healed. I hadn’t even squeezed in a shower. But my attitude completely shifted- all because the Lord used my sweet daughter to remind me to add a little joy.

How about you? Are you needing to add a scoop of joy to your day? Maybe you can try writing your own version of Habakkuk 3:17,18. At the very least, just start letting the praises flow. I promise, it will make all the difference. Okay, grabbing a shower and brushing your teeth might help, too.