Muse: Of toys and joys and etc.

As I type this, I remember some of the outstanding children whom I was privileged to meet, some years back.

They were outstanding to me simply because theirs was the world of sickness, medical procedures, medicines and paediatric wards. "Good" days were uneventful ones with regard to flares and exacerbations. Birthday parties, picnics, school and field trips had to be forgone, either for want of immunity toward strange infections and food... or to curb exhaustion. Living skills included coping with physical disabilities and the limitations they posed. Normality as it is understood and enjoyed by other children - was quite the myth.

They couldn't have been more aware that they were very ill. Nevertheless, they often responded to the toys that overflowed from our white coat pockets and hung from our stethoscopes with great enthusiasm. In play, each child was a picture of blissful contentment. Top of the world. Toys saved the day... especially for inexperienced medical students, trying to do bedside examinations without eliciting blood-curdling howls and inconsolable sobs. The reward for those who used toys effectively was quite certain - cooperative, trusting and warmed up children. Ready for medical procedures disguised as fun.

Of course, it might also help if you have a benign face and a talent in clowning. (Think Patch Adams.) 

The world can be depended on to turn magical if you allow it to. There is always time for everything - especially play. When you must play... play! Play hard. Savour it. There are always people who love you (and on whom you can trust to care for you). You will never go hungry - if worse comes to worst, they will feed you through a tube. Poisons do not exist - and even if they do, they can be eventually overcome by your superpowers. Pain is just temporary. Tomorrow might be a better day, so you must look forward to tomorrow. The bad guys will be blasted into nothingness. Good riddance! Everything will end happily ever after.

Fairy Tale. But well, I was inspired by those plucky children to appreciate the refreshing, fine art of joy. Not just the art ~ but ultimately, the discipline of choosing joy even in the midst of sorrow.

To bear Christian joy, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, a choice needs to be made. A conscious effort to trust God needs to be made, somehow. Joy is then able to bud and fully ripen in this rest (cf. Ps 16:11) ~ by the work of the Holy Spirit. 

And we can trust God of Jesus Christ, because He has loved us indeed. He will yet graciously deliver and provide. 

Celebrate in the midst of our pain and suffering - our sonship in Christ.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit..." (Rom 15:13)