Joy in the Journey
It has been said that “Life is a Journey”.......
We were treating ourselves to “Disney On Ice” at the Civic Center and had just settled into near front row seating when I found myself dashing back out to my truck on an errand. The Gala was beginning but I wouldn't miss much and planned on being back in my seat in a matter of minutes. As I hurried down the long sidewalk toward the parking lot, I noticed a young woman coming toward me, headed for the entrance doors. There were also brief glimpses of a small girl following behind her about five to six years old, bobbing from side to side as she stumbled and fell and labored to keep up with her mom. Mom had set a brisk pace and threw quick glances back from time to time but made no apparent effort to rescue the little girl’s clambering about. Knowing they were already late, it appeared to me that Mom's only interest was in finding their seats and having the “scramble” ordeal over with. Her young ones’ struggles only a few steps back, seemed to have no sway on her intent.
As we approached each other, I stepped to one side so they could pass and hurry on to the show. Mom didn't notice me but gave another look back at her daughter. I did notice Mom though and made a mental note to have ugly thoughts about her later! I also noticed the little girl. I could not “help” but notice the little girl! In spite of her ordeal of trying to keep up without once again falling, she had the most glorious smile illuminating her face and an intensity in her eyes that marked my memory deep. Her hair was long and jumped constantly about her shoulders and arms in her cumbersome pursuit of mom and she chatted and sang quietly to herself in her efforts. Her spirit was soaring and it swept me back many years to a time when I would allow such consuming delight in my own life. For a short slice of time, I was caught up in the child's unburdened elation of the glorious things she was about to see.
I also saw the stiff metal braces on each tiny leg that ran from her ankles to above her knees, secured tightly by wide leather straps. The stumbling and awkwardness were explained, and I felt as though someone had landed a blow to my chest. The evening’s anticipation drained from my heart, and I watched the little girl proceed in her struggles until she became blurred in my tears. I later stood at my vehicle for several moments until I could recompose.
The encounter that day has run through my mind many times, and with that, more detail from my memory and more comprehension of perhaps what was truly happening beyond my first view. It finally occurred to me that Mom, with a love that only mom's can have, was taking her little girl to “Disney”, a dream come true. Her steady pace was to minimize missing as much of the show as possible and her occasional glances back were to confirm that her daughter was still there, safe, and coming on strong. Mom was maintaining a caring eye yet allowing her daughter the freedom in her small world, to make her own way. To the young child there was no curtain time, no scrambled rush for a good seat, no stinging on her hands where she landed from the falls, and no burden of braces. She was free of constraints, a “Princess”, and on a wonderful journey to the “Land of “Disney”. She was immersed in joy.
It's not that rare to encounter Christians who are sour and judgmental. I have to ask myself. Do I fall among that crowd, or am I truly immersed in joy on a wonderful journey to “Heaven”! The very real “Joy” in the journey to a home with our Lord is ours to embrace............or not! It's that nasty choice thing all over again. Our Father keeps a watchful and caring eye on us yet allows us all freedoms. My prayer would be that some day I will relinquish this world's transparent freedoms and concede my life wholly to God. I ponder the writings of the Apostle Paul and how he interprets the events of his life, submitted to God. The man doesn't leave much room for complaining which irritates me, because I like to complain! But listen closely to Paul rant the “Joy” on his journey home!!
- D.G.
Post Script:
It’s been some 16 years since my encounter with Mom and the little girl. Time enough for a few thumps on the head and a restructuring of what God’s joy in my heart really is. It’s not so much the grins and giggles that God gives us on our journey through life. It's so much more and often enough, it does not come equipped with, nor is it about, grins and giggles! It seems to me that joy from God is more like a special pair of glasses that enable us to see far out there beyond our physical meanderings, and connects us with the spiritual reality that is to come!!
God’s joy is an anchor!!
