A Sweet, Sweet Sound...

There is nothing sweeter to my ear than to hear my children laughing and playing together.  They truly do love each other and enjoy one another's company.  The "warm fuzzies" just well up in my heart, and my love for these two little people grows a little more (if that is even possible)!  You just can't beat the sound of baby belly laughs and little girl giggles while both of them squeal with delight.

I think God must feel the same way when we come together to worship Him, and work together for His purposes.  I'm guessing there is no sweeter sound to His ear than the praise of His people when they work together in harmony.  Luckily, He just asks for a Joyful Noise - which means we are all included.  Sometimes my kids at play sounds more like a demolition, than a symphony - and that's okay.

Now, don't start thinking that I have perfect kids (HA!) or am delusional (which is questionable sometimes - I admit).  They are still quite young (my son isn't even 1 year old yet) and "new" to each other.  Even so, they have their moments - like when my daughter is trying to do homework in the floor, and my son just wants her papers!  All is not well between them in times like those, and I know as they get older the conflicts will increase (I do have friends with multiple kids, and am not too old to remember my own childhood).  So I try to remember to soak up the happiness while it is here.

As God's children, we don't always see eye to eye either.  He must get so exasperated with us.  How far are we from the days of "He's on my side of the seat"?  How about the "His new ideas are stepping on my toes, and this has been MY ministry".  Ouch!   We aren't perfect children, and sometimes we need to be disciplined.  Luckily, we have a loving Father who disciplines in love and extends mercy where needed.  He keeps no record of wrong, but does remember the sweet sound of our praise when we have our hearts in the right place.

As we near Easter, and celebrate the culmination of God's greatest plan - birthed out of his greatest love, let's set aside our differences and go back to the "love of our youth".  Let's remember the sweet feeling of being an adored child.  Let's warm the Lord's heart with the sound of his children loving each other and enjoying being together.  Let's show our love for one another, and lift up a sweet, sweet sound (even if it is a joyful noise) together.