Got a text from my son last night:

Auburn #1

I thought that was great news. I called him mostly because I wanted to hear how his weekend was and to rejoice with him, to enjoy the moment. (Read Saturday’s post if you want the lead-in story.)

When I said, “That’s great about Auburn,” he sounded dubious. “I don’t know, Mom…Now we’ve got a target on our backs. I mean, we’re on the road against Ol’ Miss (I think he said) next week and they’re going to want to take us down.”

My mom, who like me, has become an Auburn fan on behalf of her eldest grandson, emailed me earlier and said, “I just hope they can keep it up.” Earlier in the season, another Auburn fan told me, “We don’t have a good record historically of doing well when we’re highly ranked.”

Now don’t hear me ragging on Auburn fans or on those who get worried when their team’s on top. I’d probably say my son had heard me say many sentences like the one he spoke about various situations.

I’m bringing this up because recently we’ve been talking about “Considering it joy when you encounter various sufferings…” and other encouragements to rejoice in sufferings. I think it’s a good time to mention that we may struggle more with REJOICING IN SWEET MOMENTS than rejoicing in suffering. Or at least as much.

The chief end of woman (and man) according to the Westminster Catechism is to “Worship God and enjoy Him forever.” And yes, it is true that means more than rejoicing when your team’s #1 or you have a date with a wonderful woman or get to go hear your favorite band. But it certainly doesn’t mean less.

Here’s my question for the day:

Why do we have such a hard time “rejoicing” in the “good and simple gifts God sends from above”?