The birds were singing, the sun was shining, the air was crisp and cool. Bethany and I swung clasped hands as we walked.
“Mom. I’ve been thinking.”
Laughing I said, “I love your thinking! What have you been thinking, Bethy?
“I’ve been thinking about that movie, Inside Out. I love that movie. Right. You love that movie too, right, Mom?”
“Yes! I thought it was really cool.”
a brief synopsis if you haven’t seen the movie- Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear are the characters inside the mind of a 12 year old girl named Riley. These “feelings” represent her emotions and reactions to her life.
“Well, I’ve been thinking. I’m like that movie. I AM Joy.!
There was a pause before she continued. “Well, Mostly I am “Joy”, and sometimes I am “Sadness”. But only a little bit of “Sadness”. But mostly I’m “Joy”.” Bethany smiled.
“Wow! Beth! That’s really insightful. You are happy and joyful most of the time! That’s one of the reasons I love being around you. And you’re right- when you are sad (just a little bit 😉 ) you are sad for just a little while and then you bounce back. That is such a great way to live!”
We smiled and walked in silence for a few more minutes.
“But I also think, I’m Joy and a little bit of Sadness, but you know what makes me really sad?”
“Nope.”
“Anger. I don’t like anger. Mommy- I think A_____ mostly Anger and a little bit of Disgust. I don’t like Anger. I worry for her. I want her to be Joy and Sadness. Why can’t she just be Joy, Mommy?”
(Side note: A_____ is our foster daughter who has autism. And a lot of anger issues. And a lot of negativity. And no filter when it comes to expressing her disgust. We’ve been trying to model patience, and understanding. We try a lot of “OUTSIDE IN” strategies: therapy, appropriate medicine, modeling, teaching, etc. And they do help- temporarily. Even with all the “outside” help, her inside thinking and verbalization is so negative, that I would seriously throw her a party if we could get through even half a day without complaining, whining or an outburst of anger. .)
But the truth is PERMANENT CHANGE has to come from the INSIDE OUT (just like the movie title suggests)
Back to Bethany’s question- “Why can’t A_______ just BE JOYFUL?”
It’s complicated. God calls us to be made new in our attitudes so “Why can’t we just flip a switch and become loving, joyful, positive people?
I think it’s because we ALL need a perfect God to transform our imperfections.
We need the Love of God to remake our hearts.
We need the Word of God to be a mirror so we can see ourselves for who we really are, and desire change.
We need the Spirit of God to fill us and transform us; authentically, powerfully, permanently- FROM the INSIDE OUT!
So Bethany, to answer your question “Why can’t A______ just BE JOY?”
Well, Beth; she’s becoming ….- just like all us on this life journey. And God tells us in His Word that He is transforming us one thought and action at a time.
Surprising Treasures: Take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside out- working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you. Ephesians 4 The Message
- What Would Your Spiritual Sonogram Reveal? - October 10, 2019
- God Thinks You’re Fantastic - September 11, 2019
- What’s On Your Mind? - August 22, 2019
Bethany gets it… She really does.
She “surprises” me by her insights sometimes! 🙂
I’ve seen this movie and I totally enjoyed it. Bethany is brilliant.
Me too, Lux! It’s a good thing I loved the movie- I’ve watched it with Bethany at least 5 or 6 times! 🙂 BTW- I’m thinking you’re probably mostly JOY also! 😉 hugs