Joy Set Before

So in the midst of a busy week, things got crazy and intense. It is the nature of ministry. When you are dealing with people and their lives, it can get very interesting and often far from neat and tidy. That would sum up the last two days. By last night I was a pretty dry piece of toast, dark on both sides. This morning as I sit in the office and begin to prepare to get things finished for this weekend (finally), I was reflecting on the last couple days and what one of my emotional responses is to trying and difficult counseling situations. Embrace my kids. I love my family in a big way and I cannot describe the joy of being a dad. I really delight in my relationship with all three kids. Micah is adding words by the day and it is so great to get to know him on new levels as he communicates more. Nathan's thought process, which has always blown me away, continues to develop and he is sharing more and more complex thoughts and feelings. Esther of course has always been very expressive and is so easy to connect to (even as she is very strong willed!) :) All this to say that stepping away from the ministry for a few minutes when it gets intense to sit and enjoy the card Esther made me, let her tell me about her day, let Nathan take me for a ride on his train (or today, rocket-ship AKA living room), or help Micah excavate the garden with the toy tractor, really helps me get through things. I cannot fix the world, nor have I been called to. But I have been called to shepherd and care for these three little lives and doing so is a source of incredible joy and fulfillment in the Lord.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:2 "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Jesus got through the most difficult and awful part of His ministry by fixing His eyes on the joy set before Him. What was that joy?

Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

What treasure did He buy? US!! It was the joy of having US that got Him through the crucifixion. God uses the joy of a relationship with us to cope. I have another point of contact where I understand God's heart as I understand how me has made me. Thank you Lord for my family, and thank you for being a great dad to me.