My heart is heavy and these words keep ringing in my head tonight… “Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Pure joy? Not blemished or partial, half-hearted joy but PURE, unadulterated and authentic JOY?
How do I exude this joy as I tell my son that he’s failed this food trials today? How do I explain to him that he is allergic to ALL foods–that his body battles itself every time he takes a bite? How do I break the news that I have to take away the 5 foods he’s been able to enjoy and go back to solely a liquid, medicinal formula diet? And all the while, he has to stay joyful in the process? ………………………………………………
Because God tells me to. Sometimes I get frustrated that God is having to use my son to grow MY character but then I think about how God has used these “hurdles” to deeply grow all of us. Strength in weakness… Beauty in brokenness…
Food is a basic necessity of life–we deal with it every day–at almost every social event, play date, school function, the list goes on and on. The only way to walk through this valley is to have HOPE and JOY in ALL circumstances.
Recently when talking to Sy about heaven, his big, blue eyes lit up as he asked, “Will I be able to eat all ‘fewds’ in heaven?” Needless to say, he has great hope and is stoked to get there!
So I trust… I have faith that God is using this for the greater good, for OUR greater growth, and HIS greater glory!
So even tonight as I sit here and struggle to feel it, I. CHOOSE. JOY!!!
