I want for nothing.

We adjusted his wheels and strapped him in but before we could hardly say anything, he was OFF!
Barreling down the hallway of the retirement home, he could see and hear Memaw in the distance—“It’s somebody’s birthday todayyyy!”
With a smile as big as Texas, he made his way to her and I thought they were both going to spontaneously combust.

As we ventured down the hallways, I watched them both stay in-step with one another; both continuously looked to make sure the other was on course, not running into any obstacles, and both staying up to speed (both tend to go over the speed limit 🤣.) It’s like they had a code language. Doesn’t it feel that way with so many elderly people and children? Both seem to GET IT—to understand what matters and to be unbothered by what doesn’t.

My heart wasn’t prepared to see my newly-to-3 year old gripping his walker with such pride as his namesake told him what turns to make.
I tried to pause for a second and stand to the side.
“Sometimes what looks like a disability offers the greatest ability to hold joy in profound ways.”
“THIS is it, Jesus. This.”, I thought to myself.
How do we manage to forget so often? Maybe that’s what elderly people and kids have in common—they reserve their memory for things that last because who has time for what doesn’t?

“We both have the same color, Sledge. Yours and mine! How cool!”, my Memaw said, referencing their walkers.
Nothing will stop them, I am convinced of that.

This year, I am praying to be so hyper aware of the presence of God, that it changes everything I do. I’m praying for wild courage, total surrender, deep-seeded joy, and inside out wholeness.
Time is grace and joy is grace and people are grace in human form and well, I feel like I’ve been extended too much. But I’ll just say thank you to the Giver and humbly ask to live with this picture in mind:
Sledge and Carolyn Sledge, eyes locked, overflowing with joy, focused on the future, and fully trusting that they have all they need.

“I want for nothing.”
When we believe that, Joy comes most alive 🌟