Discovering JOY in Family
What is a sight or sound that kindles a spark of JOY in you? Two answers came to my mind when I posed this question: 1) the sound of children’s laughter, and 2) the smiling faces of children at Christmas.
In today’s post, I do a bit of wistful reminiscing as I think about how I have discovered JOY in my roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandma.
“Joys are always on the way to us. They are always traveling to us through the darkness of the night. There is never a night when they are not coming.”
Amy Carmichael
A few weeks ago, we attended our youngest grandchild’s Christmas pageant. Their home church does an outstanding job every year. An army of adult volunteers begin working with the kids in August to ensure the event is amazing. This year, our 10-year-old grandson was part of the choir, participated in a select group of boys who sang and danced, and portrayed Joseph during the final nativity scene.
In today’s post, I share some photos that create joy for me from our grandson Reeve’s Christmas pageant, some nostalgic grandkid photos from years past, as well as a heartfelt prayer for each of these gifts who have brought such JOY.
Father God,
Enable my grandson, these other young boys, and each of my children, and generations of grandchildren to grow strong in body, mind, relationships, and faith.
Jesus,
Thank you for entering the darkness of a broken world as a tiny babe to show us the true nature of God.
Holy Spirit,
Teach generations of our grandkids how to contribute well and to strengthen their communities while growing to love the Lord their God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength and to love their neighbors as themselves.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, I offer this prayer,
Amen
Sydney, left, is now mom to an adorable toddler, and Mackenzie is committed to her role as a middle-school teacher. While visiting Grandpa and Grandma several years ago, Sydney created and directed a “bubble-wrap” Christmas pageant in which Mackenzie starred as Mary and our Shitzu, Muffie, was a sheep. For this granny, it was the best Christmas pageant ever!
Jackson Eric grew from this adorable 6-month-old who was happy to wear the silly Christmas pajamas his grandma bought into a handsome, successful man.
Emalynn, a demure 4-year-old Christmas gift, is now a lovely teenager!
In this season of my life journey, I am thankful for so many wonderful gifts. Among the most cherished are a loving husband; two amazing adult daughters; five hardworking, flourishing grandkids; and a too-cute great grandson. I am filled with deep, inexpressible gratitude to God who chose me to be their wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Fully realizing I am not even close to being on a par with the Holy Mother Mary, I would like to close this post with a portion of Mary’s Magnificat, her song of praise to God who chose her to give birth to His beloved son, Jesus, Emmanuel—God with us! What an example Mary is to each of us mothers. I am challenged by the devotion and hope in her words.
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation….”
Luke 1:46-50 (ESV)
May you be blessed with an abundance of JOY this third week of Advent,
