Lately, for me, the word “Joy” immediately brings to mind visions of the children at Sarah’s Covenant Homes. I think of their smiling faces and of infectious giggles when someone hugs them or tickles them.
To see them find joy in the little things, brings me joy.
But that wasn’t always the case.
The first time I walked into Sarah’s Covenant Home, I was terrified. I didn’t have any experience working with special needs and I was a self-diagnosed germaphobic hypochondriac who also happened to be super sensitive to bad smells. Dirty children were running around and yelling, and it all seemed too overwhelming.
But God use one little girl to change that all around.
He used little Jodi to take away those fears and insecurities. When I was with Jodi, my focus turned to her instead of myself. I no longer cared about the smells or the germs, because I cared more about her.
I spent the month playing with her and holding her hand as she started to take steps. And when God took me back to India after my world race, He once again expanded my focus off of myself. But this time my focus was not just on Jodi, but on all of the kids. I began seeing each of the kids in a new light.
Nolan was one of those kids. The first time I was in India, I shied away from Nolan. He was so weak and small, and his constant drool smelled awful.
God flicked a switch when I came back. A protective instinct towards this little kid kicked in. God took the focus off me and placed it on Nolan.
I began receive joy from this little kid. Every morning when I would arrive at SCH, Nolan would be sitting in the doorway of his room and raise his little arm up in the air to say hello. I would run up to him and he would place his hands together and bow his head. Then, I would scoop him up in my arms and watch the grin spread across his face. His beautiful simile would bring me so much joy.
Someone once told me an acronym for “Joy” was Jesus, Others, Yourself. When we put Jesus first, others second, and yourself last, we are able to receive full joy from the Lord.
When we look to God and seek Him first, joy comes.
Its the Joy that comes from seeing that this life is not just about ourselves, but that there is so much more.
The joy that all of our sin, our shame, and our brokenness has been redeemed by the blood of lamb.
The joy that we have an eternal hope in Heaven with Our God. The joy that God invites us to bring His Kingdom to earth as it is in Heaven.
When I look at the kids of SCH, I receive joy. And my joy is because when I look at them, I see Jesus.
