Life and Joy

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy. (Proverbs 13:12, NLT)

As a young boy, every once in a while my heart became attached to something I thought I needed. This generally took place as Christmas or my birthday approached. “A dirtbike would be awesome,” I thought. Or, “I so want a go-cart.” A baseball glove, the newest Hot Wheels car, a sling-shot. One time I was determined to have a pair of Spaulding basketball sneakers…with THE coolest three-stripe design ever (sorry Adidas fans). I did everything my manipulative little self could think of to convince my parents that I needed those sneakers. But I never did get them, and life went on just fine.

As an adult, I’ve spent a lot of time wishing for this and thinking I need that. But life has gone on just fine despite the fact that I’ve never had all the things that I think I want or need. I’ve learned that God knows best…He knows that the things I want are not really all that important. He knows that what I think I need is not what I really need at all.

What I need is Him…His love, His mercy, His grace…Him. As a relatively new husband and brand new dad, I’m amazed at the joy His gifts bring. All the fleeting things that I think I want from this world don’t begin to compare with the joys of marriage and parenthood. Sure, there are difficult times, but in the big picture, when our dreams and desires are aligned with God’s good plans, we discover true life and joy.