Facebook spread the word quickly– after four years of infertility, bake sales to raise money for adoption fees, tears, prayers, family fasts– Stephanie announced she was eleven weeks pregnant. And just this morning, sweet Mary, who also went the rounds of infertility, buried a sweet baby in Switzerland and suffered several late-term miscarriages shared the thrilling news that she will bear a baby this summer. I’ll keep praying for them for them both.
Last week, my friend Annie secured her dream job after a decade of schooling. In her words:
It is the exact kind of job I always said I would eventually like to do when people asked “so what are you going to do with that degree, teach?” (I would say something like “I do love teaching but I’d really like to help lead a foundation or non-profit, connecting research and practice to help children and families in innovative ways,” not sure if there were, in fact, jobs with all of those elements at once). In fact, I have the eery feeling that someone was secretly taking notes or that my words flew out and become some kind of seedling that cultivated this particular, newly created job.
Don’t you love that idea? Someone (God) in the universe knows your wants and needs and dreams and it preparing something wonderful just for you. Oh, I know some people believe in the scarcity mentality– good news is a slice of pie and there’s only so much to go around. But I believe in abundance; every time I hear happy news I believe it foretells happiness for you and you and you and me too. “Men are, that they might have joy.” 2 Ne. 2:27 God wants us be happy.
A parable for you (from my sister’s stake conference): Perusing the outlet stores, Anne spied beautiful wooden white jewelry boxes, lined with satin, a tiny dancer spinning in the mirror. Delighted, Anne purchased a small one for her niece and a much larger one for her daughter Lucy’s upcoming birthday. Unveiling the gift for her niece at home, Anne saw Lucy’s face fall. Moments later tears began streaming down her cheeks, “That’s the jewelry box I have always dreamed of, always wanted.” A wise mother, Anne knew these weren’t selfish tears, but true sorrow. Anne also knew that little Lucy would receive a bigger, better music box than she’d dreamt of in just a few weeks. And so, she held her tight, wiped her tears and spoke words of comfort.
I believe our Heavenly Father is often in the same scenario– we are on our knees, begging, crying, yelling and he wisely knows something wonderful, something better than we’d imagined is in our future. For you and you and you, and me too.
Have you been ‘surprised by joy’? Please tell your story.
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