Undaunted JoySample

Surrendering myself to God’s love is how I am able to see the world through a lens of joy and love. I thought about this on a recent trip with my middle school–aged son. I have broken the cycle that my father continued from those before him and am a good and loving mother. It was bliss to show my son beautiful things and introduce him to new knowledge about his place in the world. My son lit up when he saw sheep on our walks in the countryside or a painting he had seen once in a book now before him in person, or had an interaction with a stranger that made him feel more a part of the world.

My son and I talked about how God enjoys giving us gifts, how God shows us beautiful things and introduces us to new ideas and knowledge to amuse us, to expand our view. Just like a good mommy, God, a good father, loves to delight us. When we allow God to love us, we can see those gifts he has set out to dazzle us. . . .

The following anonymous quote is often incorrectly attributed to Clare of Assisi, but I still think it’s a worthy sentiment: “We become what we love, and who we love shapes what we become.” Being loved by Christ shapes who I am and who I am becoming. I know that even if I just lie in bed all day, he will still love me. There are days when I have done just that, but today I will sit up, get out of bed, love my family. Even the silly little things on my to-do list become acts of love, of worship to the One who loves me.

Prayer

Lord, I surrender myself to your love, and I will endeavor to love others the way you love me. Amen.