Filled up and happy!

Balloons are a universal love language. They come in so many fun colors, sometimes even fun shapes, and in general capture the attention of everyone with a childlike heart. Endless games, noises, and beauty come from such a simple piece of plastic and I have yet to meet a child who did not clamor to receive one of their very own.

Such was the case on this hot day, when the chocolate I had given out earlier, finally gave out, melted beyond repair. I remembered that I had also brought a sleeve of 18 balloons, and I quietly prayed that there would be enough to go around.

To my great relief, I had EXACTLY the right amount of balloons for the children who gathered on this day. There are over 200 in this village, so this was a grace that came from a good Father. He knows exactly how much we need, and He always provides. He had a lesson to teach that day, so after we played with our new balloons, I began to share what He laid on my heart in the simple language of Jesus to the child.

In short, the real “happy life” comes from enjoying His presence by being filled to overflowing each and every day. His love, peace, joy, and so much more is found by “filling up”, just like putting air into a balloon. A balloon with air versus a balloon without air provided a simple lesson to that end. A joyful balloon is one that can float and fly with the birds, dance in the trees, see all the sights, run with the toddler, whereas a sad balloon is one sitting around with no air in sight. So it is with us. A balloon with air is like the person who has found the source of all life, and can live in the joy of relationship with the Father. A balloon without air is like a person without a revelation of His constant loving presence. So, we blew up our balloons and prayed that He would fill us all up again and again and again.

Ephesian 3:19 tells us His desire for us to be filled. “and (that you may come) to know (practically, through personal experience) the love of Christ which far surpasses (mere ) knowledge (without experience), that you may be filled up (throughout your being) to all the fullness of God (so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself) .”

As Jesus loved on each and every little child that day, all we could really do was relish the experience of incredible joy, love and laughter because He was with us so tangibly. Jesus was lifted up and delighted to answer our prayer for more of Him. I pray that they all remember what it felt like to be with Him like this, and that they will remember His joyful love every time they hear His name.

Brave Beautiful Balloon Blessings!