The Bible says in Psalms that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” You couldn’t tell it from little Wimberley’s face as she got out of her car last Sunday morning.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of church for me is greeting everyone. At the early morning service at my Mitchell County church, I get to do that as they are driving up and getting out of their cars. I try to greet them with a smile because I am genuinely glad to see them. They did not have to come but they did.
Little Wimberley is six years old and, usually, quite vivacious and expressive. Her face is bright even though the time is early. In other words, she most often has the cracklings wiped from her eyes.
This past Sunday was different. She had that bottom lip “pooched” out as if she were saying, “I would rather be anywhere else.” That was alright; I’m sure some of the older folks might have felt the same way.
I also thought about that saying from the old days. “I could walk to town on that bottom lip.” Remember that? I did not say that to little Wimberley; sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. Plus, little folk’s emotions can change quickly and it wasn’t too long before she was giggling and wiggling around and I caught her smiling.
Then I told her, I like that “look” better and she tried not to smile, but smiles come so naturally for little Wimberley that one crept out. The contagion of her smile brought one of my own. It’s funny how often that happens.
Someone else does the Children’s Sermon, but if I had been doing it last Sunday and had a prior inkling of Wimberley’s early morning blues I would have brought a bottle of Joy dishwashing soap.
I would have told the children that one kind of “joy” can be bought. I buy it often and try to get as large a container as I can. I like Joy dishwashing soap. The label describes it very well.
First of all, it’s cleansing. All the grease and grime of dirty dishes is cleansed away by Joy. It’s long-lasting and a little bit goes a long way. That’s the truth about Joy dishwashing detergent.
Buying Joy in a container is different from having joy in life. Real joy in life cannot be bought. At the same time, it cannot be so easily dismissed.
One of my favorite thoughts about Jesus is the one expressed in Hebrews 12. The second verse reads, “for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.” In addition to the joy that Jesus’ work gave Him, it was also His pleasure to share His joy with us. That’s Good News!
Christians are in the midst of a reflective season now. It’s known as the Lenten Season and precedes the great celebration Sunday of Easter. In many ways, the Lenten Season is a somber time. The word “somber” could mean gloomy or sad. Sort of like that expression that I saw early Sunday morning as little Wimberley got out of her car.
The Psalmist says that we can endure those somber nights and expect “joy” in the morning. I think Wimberley left with joy in her heart. I am so glad that Jesus is willing to share with us His joy.