Ordering Joy

December 3^rd.  You know what that means: Hot Fudge Cake at the Big Boy!!  Ever since I was a little girl, birthdays meant hot fudge cake!  Not every year, but I almost always chose that as the dessert of the day.  Sometimes Mom would make a great big one for the family, other times we went to the restaurant.  It’s just two pieces of chocolate cake held close by a plain vanilla ice cream layer, then (if done correctly), totally bathed in thick hot fudge.  Nothing fancy, but it tastes like birthdays and Bowling Green and tradition to me.

As an adult, I make sure I always order it to be served first and then I’ll have a sandwich and fries for dessert, thank you.  You absolutely must have it in that order.  What if you don’t have room for it after your meal?  That would be a disaster!  Absolute shame.  You must start with it to be sure you aren’t too full.  You can always box up the sandwich to take home.  You can’t take home the hot fudge cake!  Melted ice cream, mushy cake, whipped cream dissolved, cold hot fudge – what is that??  Just a mess.  A memory wasted.  Once delectable, now disappointing.

Of course I believe in stewardship and caution, saving and being careful.  I’m a Mom and a conservative one at that!  I emphasize healthy foods and homework, holding hands in the parking lot and work before play.  But sometimes, you just have to choose JOY!

44 today.  Huh.  You know, I’m lucky.  Because my parents died so young, I have had a unique view of life.  I realized early that every single day I had was a gift.  And with the man I love supporting me, I can do anything!  I remember, newly engaged to Chuck, I was complaining about being bored at my desk job and he asked me, “What do you want to do with your life?  We are young!  We have our whole lives in front of us!  You can be anything you want to be in the world – what do you want to do?  Who do you want to be?”

I am still answering that question.  I know I want to be the best wife, Mom and Grandma I can possibly be.  I know that I want my life to COUNT!  I don’t even remember what vocation my Daddy had because I was so little.  But I do remember going with him to the church and working with the Youth groups.  I remember his being an umpire for Little League games.  His life mattered to them!  Mom graduated nursing school not even three years before she died.  But I know without a doubt that she touched many, many people.

Their lives meant a great deal because they understood that you need to put serving, loving, helping, meaning before anything else; that is joy!  They taught me to always get your priorities straight.  That means working hard, loving God, looking for the chance to make a difference in the lives of others... and occasionally ordering dessert first.

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Pondering points

Psalm 63:5-7

You satisfy me more than the richest feast.  I will praise you with songs of joy.  I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.  Because you are my help, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
Proverbs 3:3-4, 27-28
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!  Tie them around your neck as a reminder.  Write them deep within your heart.   Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.  Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.  If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
Isaiah 58:10-11
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.  The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:13-14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Philippians 1:3-5
I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now