An Opportunity to Choose Great Joy!

Choose joy? When challenges and disappointments come? How can we count all this stuff as joy? You young’uns may not remember the old Hee Haw Show where the cast members sang this “miserable” song that went like this: "Gloom, despair, and agony on me; Deep, dark depression, excessive misery; If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all; Gloom, despair, and agony on me." Those poor old guys lived way below these words from the Apostle James: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2

I'm writing this blog from my precious grandson's experience last weekend. He had reasons to sing that Hee Haw song. I'm sure considering his troubles as “an opportunity for great joy.” was a stretch. You see, on Sunday, all dressed and ready to head to church, he went to his car….and his sweet-ride wasn’t there. My daughter gives these details: “Our son, Payton, had his car stolen this morning but I am so proud of his response to what could have been a very difficult morning. His response was: "Mom, I could be all upset and angry, but I choose JOY. I refuse to let this bring me down." His trunk was full of some VERY special possessions and our family fishing equipment, which...if you know my family, is PRECIOUS cargo. But instead of being "normal"...our boy chose JOY.

She goes on to share: “I don't know what you are going through, but today's brief, but powerful sermon comes to you from my son's own life experience today: "CHOOSE JOY!" "All things work together for good to them that LOVE GOD and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. And God, we pray for the people who stole his car and we ask you to forgive them and draw them into repentance. May they come to know you and the power of your resurrection!” Staci Wallace

So, there you go, Satan. Body-slam to you and all your little imps. Instead of Payton losing his joy, he sensed God speaking to him to take a deep breath and receive the encouragement of joy when he needed it the most. If we read this verse “Count it all joy” (James 1:2) as a stand-alone suggestion, it seems impossible to put it into practice. Yet, if we read the context behind it in Scripture, it takes on an entirely new perspective and begins to seem — with God’s help — doable.

James wrote that verse during a time when the Christians were facing insurmountable problems that had stolen their joy. But in their defense, these believers had justifiable reasons to have a bad attitude. They faced great persecution, unrelenting trials and sufferings — from murder to imprisonment — at the hands of Saul, who was zealous to destroy the church and anyone associated with Jesus. As a result, these Christians were in fear, mourning, confusion, and hopelessness.

Some fled their homes in fear for their lives. They lived in poverty, forced to scrounge for food to survive. Some were sick, and everyone was exhausted. They had every right to be negative and pessimistic. James acknowledged their suffering but also wanted to give them hope and encouragement. He told them inner joy could still be theirs, if they deliberately chose to take control of their thinking and change their attitude. He encouraged them to pause and refocus on their faith.

When life gets hard, it’s difficult to avoid letting a bad attitude take over our minds and rule our lives. We might not experience religious persecution as those first believers did, but let’s face it: people hurt us, the past haunts us, coworkers mistreat us, friends forsake us, spouses dishonor us, children don’t appreciate us, finances don’t support us, and our health doesn’t sustain us. James’ words can help us, too.

Our attitude is our choice and knowing whatever circumstances we face don’t have the power to dictate that “loser” attitude unless we let them. Although enduring problems with a smile and pure joy in our hearts can be difficult, doing so not only helps us become stronger believers, it opens the door for an attitude transformation. Our attitudes are an outward display of what’s taking place in our hearts. When our hearts focus in the right place, our attitudes will, too. The only thing we have to lose by choosing a positive attitude is a negative one.

Lord, fill us with a joy that can only come from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Welcome to the World – Our New Baby Foal!

There is nothing to compare with the joys of new life – of a baby – and, in my grandson’s opinion – a donkey baby (foal). What the family didn’t know when they added two little miniature donkeys, Firecracker and Molly Grace, to their family in January, that one of them could be “expecting”. They only hoped that there would be an addition to the family sometime in the future.

As the days went by, it looked like Firecracker’s middle was growing bigger and bigger. Last month, while I was there, a vet came out and assured us, that a baby foal was on the way and could be here anytime from then to December.

Friday night, Shawntel and Bryson went out to check on the donkeys and they could only see Molly Grace (the other donkey) by herself and she was loudly hee-hawing. It was like she was calling for help and it wasn’t like her at all to be away from Firecracker. They are always side by side. Then they saw Firecracker and another little shadow, and there was our new baby – all legs and ears and as Shawntel put it, that “he’ll have to grow into”. There was no rushing Firecracker to do anything she wasn’t ready to do – her baby’s debut came when the natural process of birthing was ready. Oh, the miracle of God’s creation.

My first thought, when I saw the photos yesterday morning, “How in the world was that big baby in that tiny mama, and how in the world did she deliver that baby all on her own?" Again, oh, the wonders of God’s creation. Needless to say, there is joy and celebration in the Wuerch household. Baby immediately knew where to go for nourishment. The family gathered up the baby with mama and put them in the barn for safe-keeping.

Yesterday morning, in the light of day, the family Face-Timed me and I was able to see my new little grand-donkey firsthand. Witnessing Bryson cuddling and loving him brought such joy to my heart. What a wonderful birthday present for Bryson – he turns 11 this Friday, on November 17th.

There are few things in life that are as sweet as a birth. We ooh and aww at newborn babies – both human and animal life. We recognize the miracle of birth and as those little ones grow up, they’ll soon crawl and before long, they’ll walk. Not to be a boasting Nana, but DID YOU NOTICE my little pride and joy, grand-donkey was already walking at one hour of life? How’s that for something to talk about? LOL! What a glorious job God does with His creation.

That little Mama donkey has such love and care for her baby. She nudges him along ever so gently. There’s so much we can learn from the animal kingdom. I’m quite sure they are closer to God than we give them credit for. We like to think that our ability to feel and understand emotions is unparalleled, but watching God’s timing of the seasons, the instincts of animals and other creatures, I’ve come to realize His perfect plan for everything gives us a sense of confidence and peace that all things will work out in our lives.

I’ve watched Bryson and his love for his animals and have been so impressed with his understanding of responsibility and accountability. Not only have his animals taught him to be compassionate, but it has had such a direct effect on who he is as such a sweet, caring, compassionate, and tender-hearted boy. I tell him often, “You are going to be such a great daddy someday!” And, I know he will. In the meantime, Bryson will continue to grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man……and all of his animal kingdom friends.