Have you read the headlines lately? Watched the news? Checked out the gas prices? “Ceasefire appears fragile as Israel attacks Lebanon.” “Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.” “Oil and fuel prices to remain high!” “Man charged after mother pushing stroller robbed in Vancouver.” “Former Conservative MP crosses floor to Liberals.” Every day! Every hour! We are inundated with world news and these days it’s terrifying.

I’m heartbroken for our world. I’m heartbroken for the moms and dads whose sons and daughters are fighting in a war they didn’t ask to be in. I’m heartbroken for the children - all across our world - dodging bombs instead of playing sandlot soccer. I’m heartbroken for the parents trying to stretch their paycheques at the grocery store - at the gas pump - at the department store - at any store. I’m heartbroken for those who are anxious - for those who are afraid - for those who apprehensive - for those who are ‘on edge’ - for those who are panicked and desperate.

In the middle of these tough days - finding joy in the ordinary is necessary and important. I’m choosing to focus on other things.

Like - going to the theatre with my oldest son. Last Friday night Zac treated Harv and I with tickets to Bach’s Mass in b minor - in box seats, no less. The Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony and the Grand Philharmonic Choir were outstanding - amazing - breath-taking. This glorious music was first heard in Leipzig on Christmas Day, 1724. For over three hundred years - “Lord, have mercy. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Hosanna in the highest. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us” - has left audiences and congregations wanting to hear it again and again.
The music moved me. My mind was fixed on these words and my heart was encouraged.

Like - going to the Sugar Bush on Easter Sunday afternoon with the grandkids. There is nothing like tramping through the bush on a spring afternoon - kids running here and there - tasting the sap in the pails - watching the crackling fire as the pot of sap boils away - listening to the young teenaged boy passionately speak about maple trees - how they clean cut the woods to allow the maples to grow big and strong - how the oldest tree in the bush is well over two hundred years old - and of course - tasting the finished product and purchasing some taffy and syrup to take home. My mind took a rest from the price of gas. My heart was filled with joy and gratitude that for those two hours - everyone enjoyed each other’s company.

Like - being there to celebrate my middle son’s birthday. Ben turned 43 this week and I was reminded of his birth so many years ago - the joy of raising him and his brothers - the pleasure of being his mom - watching him grow and mature to the man he is today. Ben and his bro’s - Zac and Pete - have given me so much joy through the years. Three sons - in under three years. The boys were always together. When there was no one else to play with - they always had each other. When we went camping - there was always to build sandcastles with - someone to play “steal” on the beach and volleyball in the water. Three boys on the same baseball team - the same high school senior basketball team. How cool was that. They played hard and yes - sometimes, even more times than I liked - fought hard with each other. They are brothers - they are my sons - they bring me joy.

I often reflect on my sons and their growing up years. I’m thankful for all four of their grandparents who loved them and guided them and poured their lives into them. They modelled how to love their spouses well…..how to be honest in school and their jobs…..how to be faithful in the small things……how to cheer on the Leafs and Blue Jays…..how to deal with disappointment….how to be men. My parents - Randy’s parents - they were fine people. I often remind myself of their faith through the hard times of the depression and second world war. They definitely found joy in the ordinary things.

Like - warm socks from the dryer - fresh fruit - a delicious sandwich - clean sheets - laughing until your belly aches - finishing a really good book - dogs who greet you at the door as if you’ve been gone for a year - watching people you love win - slow mornings - peaceful evenings - hearing your favourite song on the radio! These ordinary things bring me joy.

LIKE - Good Friday and Easter Sunday morning. The declaration - tetelestai - brings me total JOY. The events of that first Easter were not ordinary - but quite extraordinary.

“Tetelestai” - Greek word. This proclamation by Jesus on the cross - wasn’t a whisper of weakness or fading breath of defeat. It was not almost - not halfway - not still trying. It was a cry of victory - over every sin - every shame - every debt I could never repay. Every debt - paid in full. The cross didn’t say - try harder. It said - it is done. And in that moment - darkness thought it had won - the grave thought it would hold - and hell thought it had the final word. But darkness, the grave and hell - didn’t hear “tetelestai” - the sound of chains breaking, the sounds of doors opening and the sounds of Love going full. "Tetelestai” - He meant it. It is finished - and what He finished stays finished forever!

Tetelestai - that’s why in the middle of these tough days - I choose to find joy in the everyday.