Fullness of Joy
Dondy and Mary Burkhalter, Circa 1950
In the middle of a text message conversation recently, a friend said something that lit a spark in my soul. My friend’s name is Judy. Interestingly, we have never met in person. We’ve only sent text messages and shared a couple of phone calls. Meg met Judy and a group of her friends a year or so ago, and that initiated our connection. After some “back and forth” text chatting about a variety of subjects, here’s what Judy said, “I do know God has a sense of humor. Undoubtedly, we’re a huge source of amusement for Him. In particular I think you bring Him great joy, Beth. I really do believe He enjoys you so much.” Words like that are mostly difficult to receive because we wonder how it can be so. I disappoint myself so often and assume God is also disappointed in me much of the time.
Continuing to think about what Judy said, my perception began to shift. I envisioned God on His throne, and He was giggling. Actually He was leaning on its arm and was thoroughly entertained, enjoying the playful activity in front of Him. In the 18th chapter of Matthew, Jesus said, “ Except you be as little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God.” Maybe part of “Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” is living with the free abandon of joy before this great God Who IS our Father. Meg and I were blessed with a wonderful father, though he went home to heaven too soon. He loved to laugh. He loved to hug. He adored our momma, and he loved us. I realize not every child enjoys what we had. But we all have a Father in heaven who is crazy about His kids. He truly enjoys us and wants us to know it. Maybe its time for a new perspective about who He is and how He sees us. I like this quote from the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” I want to enjoy Him more and to embrace His enjoyment of me.
I want this for you too.
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” - Psalm 16:11
