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Nov. 25, 2005
Interuption, or welcome diversion
I have some work to do. In fact I can think of four things off the top of my head that I should be higher on my priority list than blogging:
1) Dishes
2) Laundry
3) Packing
4) Sorting this stack of paperwork before me into a coheren/usable lesson sequence.
Wow, it actually ended up four. I'm getting better at guesstimating as there almost inevitably seems to be a number ? hidden in those kinds of statements.
But for some unknown reason, Baby Bug is wide awake. She is bouncing up and down in my lap, tuggung at her pajama top and singing, "Anana gaguui ammammamma." It is her very favorite song, and we hear it often.
Why is the joy of an infant so infectious? There is no stress in my day that a flash of her little smile will not completely alleviate, no bout of "winter blues" that her joyful giggle cannot chase away. I have never seen anyone respond to a gurgling baby with anything but delight. "One of the most treasured sounds," a stranger once remarked, listening to my son squeal while my husband tickled him.
Per haps it is because her joy is so pure. It is not tempered by fears of what others will think. She is unconcerned about making a scene. She has no lingering knowledge that this joy is but passing, or concerns for tomorrow. And her expression is never forced. She does not fake a smile to hide her true thoughts about Daddy's best attempts at baby-humor. She does not muster a giggle to keep the peace and not hurt any feelings.
Perhaps I would have an easier time as a "fisher of men" if I took more time to experience the pure joy of the Lord. I have that joy which comes only with having peace with God, but sometimes I put it on a shelf so I can fret about the laundry and the dishes and my lesson planning. When I do sit to talk (or type) with someone about the Lord, I speak of peace and joy, but exhibit the same distracted, stressed and frenetic conversation as my unbelieving neighbor's. Not real good bait in a world built on the principles of the Type A personality.
I cannot help but think of the apostles in the early church. I believe they were able to have such an impact on their world becaue, "...the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. " (Act 13:52). This had nothing to do with their ability to get away to weekend retreats, fellowship with the MOPS group once a month and gather together for occasional potlucks. It really did not have so much to do with taking daily quiet time with the Lord. Just two verses before noting the joy of the disciples, we learn of the intense persecution and how the Jews were lying about them to stir up trouble.
Their joy came from the same source as my baby's. They were secure in their knowledge of being loved. They had no worries for tomorrow. They were completely unconcerned about how they were received by their fellow man. I think those are the principles of Christianity I need to focus on to keep from "shelving" my joy.
Number 5 to my list of four? Play with this exuberant baby who is up at 11:30 at night.
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Nov. 25, 2005 - Untitled Comment