Choose Joy

I watched as the heavens opened up for a lovely storm filled with
quarter-sized hail, thunder, and lightening. My cousin, Samantha, and I
were unloading the dishwasher when she asked if she could go see how big
the hail was once the storm had passed. I thought, “why not?�

The next thing I knew, she was standing at the front door in cowboy
boots, soccer socks, athletic shorts, her soccer jersey, and a
multicolored umbrella. She stood there without anyone seeing her and
shouted, at no one in particular,

“best day of my liiiiiifffee!!!�

She hurried in with such delight to show me the biggest piece of hail she could find, looking like a drowned rat.

Then, immediately asked if she could continue to play in the aftermath of the storm.

I typically hate when things get dirty, especially after hours of
cleaning, but I knew I’d be a fool to deny her the opportunity to be the
child that she is.

And she actually taught me so much humility in that moment. I even walked outside with her to capture her joy.

I thought of that story today as I was trying to process in my mind
how I could describe the past couple weeks of my life. Because, I can
say with heaps of joy that it was the “best two weeks of my liiiiiifffee!!!!�

In an earthly sense, I look at my time at training camp for the World Race and think of how bizarre and messy it was.

But, I watched as the Heavens opened up in a spiritual thunder and
lightening storm to water a parched but planted land. And, against my
earthly judgment, I got to jump and play in supernatural puddles. I have
pieces of ‘hail’ as evidence that something really great and profound
happened. And I would have missed every ounce of fun if I hadn’t left my
adult world to discover the joys of childlike faith.

And what a blessing to be able to step away from that, into all that the Lord has in store for me when I choose Him.

You know, He’s doing something new right now. It was a promise in
Isaiah’s time, and I find it ringing so very true in this moment.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not
perceive it?� Isaiah 43.

It’s truth for myself right now. I witnessed the Lord confirm it as
truth in over 50 of my newest friends this last week, as well.

And like I was saying, the Lord came in a storm to water a thirsty
people. I watched them, with a little hesitation in their eyes at first,
jump into puddles of freedom. They got dirty and drenched but they were
also walking away without the chains that once bound them to the past.
They were released to experience redemption rain in a way that was so
specific to their relationship with their Heavenly Poppa. They were free
to be who they were, worship how they were lead, and loved in the midst
of downpour and splashes of muddy water.

A friend from my original squad said I was going to get so attached
to my new squad and love them so deeply and quicker than I thought
possible. And he was right.

Man, was he right!

It reminds me of the day of the storm with Samantha. It was in her
shameless abandon and childlike faith that her joy was evident and
contagious. It was her dancing and singing in the rain that made the
mud, cold, and mess seem to amount to nothing. I will always love
Samantha, but that day, something was ignited in me and I’m more
attached to her than I ever was.

And that’s what happened with my squad this last week. They were
shamelessly abandoned to Him. They lived in such childlike faith. Their
joy was evident and contagious. They danced and sang in the rain. And
the mud, cold, and mess could hardly amount to the depth of love, peace,
joy, and healing that resulted in stepping out into the storm.

I’m not ignorant to think they are perfect now…stepping into the
world as if every problem they’ve ever had is gone. Because that’s just
stupid and unrealistic to think…about anyone really. We’re on a journey,
you and I. It’s just that these new people in my life know that they
aren’t alone in their journey of exploring the depths of God. We’re all
in this together.

And though it seems trite to say that jumping in puddles produces the
best day of your life, I think there is a lot to be said about knowing
where you are, the conditions that surround you, and living in your
position as a child of God. That in the midst of storms and pain, joy
can be found. You just have to dance in it and know that He said that
never will He leave you nor forsake you. And when you live in that, I
think it’s appropriate to scream, at no one in particular, “ best day of my liiiiiifffee!!!�

People can hear you shout out your joy.

And it’s contagious…

So shout it out, people!!