After a rather heated discourse late one evening some years ago with a close family member, this question was shouted at me in great frustration, “Don’t you want your children to be happy?”
ZING! POW! GOTCHA! OUCH!
Wisely, the Holy Spirit led me to diffuse the situation and not respond to the query at that moment. Such “set-ups” by the enemy rarely result in anything of Godly substance. After all, what caring, loving Mother/Grandmother could reasonably respond with any thing other than, “Of course I want my children to be happy!”
NOT ME! I want my children to be JOY-FULL! That was the message from the Holy Spirit when I awoke the next morning. I knew that was to be my response to the “questioner” of the previous evening.
The idea of “happiness,” in the way it was proffered, is a temporary, unstable, ever-changing, elusive imposter. Depending on age, mood, circumstances, peer group, finances, health, etc, etc, “happiness” is not something to pursue or depend on.
On the other hand, “joy,” in the way a Christian should understand, pursue and model it, is one of the most stable positions/attributes you can have.
Consider these verses: Psalm 94:15, James 1:2-3,Romans 15:13, Nehemiah 8:10, I Thes. 5:16-17, Romans 12:12 And then, especially Hebrews 12:2
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the JOY set before him endured the cross,…”
May our children know such stability, love, and peace.
JOY TO THE WORLD!!
Mary
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