How long has it been since you went sledding? If you're lucky it was just the other day. For me it's been a lot longer. There was an opportunity a couple of years ago, but I had just gotten a concussion the day before, so I decided it might not be that great of an idea. Today Maria, Tiffany and I went to the Saturday kids club at the church. I was on a different ministry last weekend, but I was pretty sure I knew what to expect. We sing a few songs and if we're lucky we dance around while we're doing it. Then maybe we would get to do a craft and have a snack and a lesson. Sometimes we're not sure exactly what is going on, because it's all happening in Romanian, but the kids are more than happy to teach us words each day and our vocabularies are growing larger and larger. I can now count to ten and name many different farm animals and several colors. I can ask how you are doing and tell a child they are doing a good job. When we arrived, we sang a few song and then a lot of Romanian that we couldn't decipher was spoken to the children for a few minutes. I thought it was an explanation of some prizes they might get at the end of the day. The instructor, Dorothy, was showing them some sledding discs and passing the largest one around. A few minutes later, it became apparent (through a translation) that we were ALL GOING SLEDDING!!!!!!!
We walked a few blocks away to a street that was still covered in slow and nicely sloped. There were a half or dozen or so discs to sled on, a fisher price looking sled, several sheets of plastic and some plastic bags. There kids were off and running, taking turns and trying to navigate their way around each other and down the hill. I was content to take photos and laugh with them all, but when one of them asked me if I would like to join, the answer was a simple YES! A beautiful little girl named Bianca and I ran up the hill and situated ourselves on the sheet of plastic that didn't even look large enough for one of us to sit on. We interdigitated and before I knew it we were careening out of control down the hill. A few spins and a lot of laughter got us to the bottom in one piece. Once again, I felt alive.
How do I capture this feeling and hang onto it all of the time? How do I manifest this type of joy from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep? If I could even experience that for one hour, I would be so overwhelmed and happy. I desire positive experiences, positive thoughts, and joy beyond anything I can comprehend. I have been so lucky to experience this in small moments each day. His glimpse of what more there could be if I would trust Him with all of it. If I would only trust Him enough to pray for these things. So that is my prayer today. Not to be filled with that kind of joy, but to believe the truth that I ALREADY AM!
"It's not enough to rage against the lie…you've got to replace it with the truth." Bono, U2
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15: 8-11
Getting ready to head out
An after sledding snack for the kids!
