{Click here if you missed Part One of this 9 part summer series}

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It was fun time at family camp, and the winners of the afternoon’s carnival were about to be announced. All of the kids in the room wiggled and waited impatiently. I listened only half intently {you know, that “I never win anything” feeling}.

I was brought to reality with the announcement of the winners for the 6-8 year old category. To my surprise I heard Small Son’s name called. He had earned the most points and was now skipping up the aisle to receive a certificate for the snack of his choice from the snack shop. Knowing he had just had a towering ice cream cone, my mother heart groaned within as I contemplated the impending struggle to get our ‘sugar highed’ children to sleep in just a few minutes.

My husband leaned over and said “I bet he’s going to get another ice cream cone.”

I hurried to Small Son’s side to make sure he didn’t get another ice cream cone in case he wanted me to help him choose wisely. {ahem}

He had already chosen and was waiting to be served. Out of the window came not an ice cream cone, but a bag of gummy candies.

“It’s for our whole family!” Small Son beamed. I hid my shock and beamed a huge smile of approval. We snaked our way back to our seats and  proceeded to devour the gummies. We shared. Smiles all around.

Only one was the most pleased of all- Small Son. He mentioned it again when we got back to our cabin: “I made a good choice,” he said, “I picked something our whole family could enjoy.” The next day he said it again, the ripple of joy still flowing through his little heart. We praised him again.

And I marveled. This child, so like I was at his age…selfish to the core {aren’t we all?}. The total opposite of his sister {a natural giver}, he struggles with the loss he feels when he gives and shares. Just can’t seem to grasp that giving includes sacrifice, and that sacrifice hurts.

But there is a recompense of sacrifice that only comes from God- it’s that little thread of joy running deep.

Little by little, Small Son is starting to learn the lesson that takes a lifetime:

Change comes when we push the pause button on our mechanical lives and consciously make a different choice than we’ve made previously.

Dear friends, have you heard?

You can’t rush joy.

Have you ever come to the end of a rushed season in life and realized that you feel empty, unsettled? I know I have. In my haste, I’ve forgotten to give. When life gets stressed, we often turn inward and forget to see others’ needs. Sacrifice is even harder when we’re already hurting. But oh, the blessings when choose to see…when we choose to give…when we choose to live the Christ centered life.

“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

Because joy springs up softly when we make the right choices.

That’s why no matter what season of life or situation you find yourself in,

You can’t rush joy.

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You’ve just read Part Two of my nine-part summer series “Nurturing the Fruit of the Spirit.” This series was prompted by the observation in my own life that when I’m in a hurry, I’m less likely to produce the fruit of the Spirit. It’s a call for women everywhere to slow down, to live more intentionally, and to let the fruit of the Spirit grow and change us. Join me? Drop your email address into the box on my right sidebar so you don’t miss out on new posts! Also, come over and connect with me on Facebook to receive extra updates and encouragement.