Distracted by Joy

I barely know how to start this week. Momentary mini fasts are taking over my days in the best possible way and I hardly know what to share of the multi-faceted transformations. 

Last Thursday my oldest daughter rolled her ankle during her dance class. By the time we got home it looked like she had wedged an orange under her skin. We did all the necessary follow up measures, then settled in to the healing process. At first the crutches and wraps and extra attention were actually a little bit fun. It didn’t take long for sore armpits and restless afternoons to start infringing, and frustration took over. Tuesday she was back at her studio to watch her classes since the students are already learning routines for the May performance. She has dyslexia, so memorizing footwork takes a lot of repetition and concentration, she came home with added fear she was getting behind. On top of all of that, she has been doing ten minute ice water soaks for the swelling in her ankle, and it was time for another plunge. 

During the soak, her younger siblings have been sitting on either side of her, foot emerged in the bucket, watching funny videos to help get her mind off the freezing, prickling, numbing water. Despite her uncomfortable physical situation, the three of them get to laughing so loud the rest of us can’t stay away. First we just observed the situation with our own appreciative smiles, but all that joy is like a magnet to our hearts. Pretty soon our whole family is crowded on the couch, craning our necks to see the phone screen, laughing out loud over the most ridiculous clips (mostly about cats, which seems like it has to be mentioned). Right in the midst of fear, pain, discomfort, and waiting…we are distracted by joy. When her 10 minute timer beeps, we peel off each other and our countenance has been changed. 

We take these ten minute mini fasts of whatever is happening to join each other in silliness. In it,  I have the sensation of Jesus squeezing in to our pile, throwing his head back in laughter. 

When the Israelites were in the wilderness complaining of their fear, hunger, thirst, frustration and discomfort, at the place Moses would ultimately name “Massah and Meribah” because the Israelites quarreled, and said “Is the Lord among us or not?”, God pulled out a “pile on the couch” moment. Perhaps he smirks at the challenge from the Israelites and whispers to Moses; take the elders, go to a giant rock and hit it with a stick, water will come pouring forth. Now that’s a great elder meeting! All the grouchy, bad attitudes with arms folded, grumbling along behind Moses. Then in the middle of the desert, water comes gushing out of the rock! Maybe they laughed out loud. Maybe God did, too. (Exodus 17:1-7)

There is a lot of waiting, healing, journeying, learning and re-learning in the Israelite story. There is also a lot of joy! Our youngest son frequently says he wishes worship music wasn’t so sad. The slow, reflective, deep sounds are so important and the reflection into the pain is necessary…but so is rejoicing with clapping and surprised exclamations of delight! 

This week as we’ve fasted the serious part of healing to laugh (during what is likely the most effective part of her therapy), I am praying we can also take fasts of the serious work of fund raising, changing plans, seeing all that needs to still be done, and gather together in the squished (pre middle school release) of the 360 room and rejoice with wild abandon. The people around us, the provision before us, the God within us, the kingdom among us; all that joy is like a magnet to our hearts! Oh the fun being children of God!