Joy Beyond Belief

When I was pregnant with Laura I heard a lot of warnings about how bad labor could be, how sleep deprived I’d become, how my life would change in ways I couldn’t imagine. I began to fear the unknown and wonder what on earth Matt and I were thinking when we began this part of our lives. It’s interesting now to think about many negative things were said about parenthood. Instead of joyful words of encouragement, it was like people were saying, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” Sadly, people weren’t lying.

Jesus, himself, preps mommies for some hard labor in John 16:21, “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come.” Parenthood is chock full of hard times. But to all the new mommas and daddies as well as struggling veteran parents out there, listen up! I’m going to share something with you: after the hurt, there’s loads of JOY in parenting! Jesus continues, “but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”

For example, days like today are my favorite. Here’s a glimpse into our morning: Mr. PotatoHead building, letter matching, a little bit of the Cat in the Hat, baking muffins, playing in a laundry basket, and chasing each other through the house. I never knew so much joy could come from such simple, every day things.

Let me give you even more reassurance. We celebrated Easter, the greatest day of celebration in a Christian’s year. To start prepping Laura for learning the real meaning of Easter, I got a small wooden cross and let her color it with markers. It’s a real Picasso-esqu masterpiece and she loved doing it. But what astounds me and fills me with some serious joy is hearing her proclaim, “Cross! Jesus!” every time she sees it. Joy beyond what I could imagine fills my Mommy heart.

While my heart is bursting as I watch Laura grow and learn in God’s grace every day, there is an even greater joy waiting for us, one I can’t even imagine. Joy beyond belief. Jesus says in John 16:22 as he’s prepping the disciples for the pain and grief of witnessing his innocent suffering and death, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

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Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your willing death on the cross and your victory over sin, death, and the devil through your resurrection! Thank you for the joyful moments I have as a parent. Help me to treasure those as reminders of the amazing, everlasting, undeserving joy I, and all believers, will have in heaven with you.

In your name, I pray. Amen.