When Difficulty and Duty become Delight

"Mom, I miss every one, but I miss Anna the most.” Whitney tells me. 

And as I think about this, I wonder, how does Difficulty and Duty become Delight?  

You see, I know what goes on behind the close doors, where no one sees...the difficulties of tending to special needs. I remember the times when Anna would be in her, what we called, Happy destructive moods, throwing things everywhere, as she laughed, when it would fall towards the floor. 

Not finding missing shoes for weeks, because she liked wearing them. 

There were times of sitting with her, for very long periods, in the bathroom...waiting for that Blessed Moment (our term for Bowel Movements) which is not uncommon in these special ones.  

To wash Anna's hair...you get halfway in the tub for that one.

We had to guard the refrigerator and we were always finding cheese slices or apples under her covers. There is more. Any one want to sign up. :) But Difficulty and Duty change when you finally learn to welcome them through the door. You begin to treat them like friends, and do not despise their presence.  Then something happens when you count them as guests, sent by your Heavenly Father...Delight comes to abide, right along side them.

Maybe to Delight first, by faith, is the key to what He then gives. “Delight Yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Here He is not giving what you want, but His very nature...His heart. When we are fully yielded, we enjoy everything He gives because we know it came from Him. 

This is the mystery of surrender. This describes the yoke of Jesus, too. Its fit is perfect for you. And as you bow your head to it...you do not even realize what is being done, for self-consciousness has been lost in the delight of doing it.  And in this case, the person you are serving.

Anna has been a sweet reminder, of the power of Grace doing its work, when Duty and Difficulty are allow to take their seats, while Delight sings.  I think, Whitney still hears the music, of it.  But I know she misses the hugs of them, too.

Difficult and Duty are like seat belts, getting us ready for Delights Road Ride!:)