Double the Rejoicing
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” —Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
I was one busy beaver during the early years of our marriage.
I served as pastor’s wife to my pastor husband, worked hard to raise our two children, cared for my family, worked full-time as a preschool teacher, and taught and wrote curriculum for Mission Friends. That’s not the complete list of my responsibilities, but you can see how full my life was.
My precious family, those sweet preschoolers (at church and at school), the family and friends I loved and walked beside at church—they all brought me joy. There were challenges and trying times as well. But the parade of memories brings a smile to my heart.
I loved every single thing I did to serve the Lord. I delighted in using the gifts He gave me and the good things God gave me to do. I remember feeling joy as I transitioned between each task. There is not one thing I would change. I worked hard, learned on-the-job, and grew so much during those years.
Did I serve with great joy? Was my delight in the Lord evident to those around me? Did I, as Philippians 4:4 says, rejoice and then rejoice again?
I hope my joy was on display. Not only back then, but now as I continue to serve the Lord in a variety of capacities. His joy fills my heart—on both the easy and tough days.
Maybe you are like me—busy from sunup to sundown. You are glad to serve the Lord. Each preschooler in your Mission Friends class is a precious jewel. Excitement fills your heart as you teach them about missionaries and lead them to pray, give, do, and tell about Jesus. Joy is a part of your missions DNA. Rejoice! And rejoice again!
Let’s savor that Bible verse as we serve with great joy and allow that joy to shine from our hearts and our faces. “I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we delight in You! We rejoice in You! Shower us with Your joy as we serve You so that it might rain down on those around us and cause others to seek and love You. Remind us in our busy and slow seasons that You are worthy of great joy! We pray that Your joy will infuse the preschoolers we teach so they might one day love and follow You. Amen.
Angie Quantrell is the editor for WMU preschool resources.