The Sun is Popping Out!

One morning, I was still in bed when I heard this little song coming from Erika's bedroom:
 
The sun is popping out,
the sun is popping out,
hi-ho the dairy-o,
the sun is popping out!
 
After completing her composition, she ran into my room and asked excitedly, "Is it my birthday today?" (It wasn't.)
 
All looked so bright and cheerful to her. So promising and full of excitement.
 
When do we lose this? Why do we find this kind of enthusiasm in children endearing and sweet, but in adults simple and naive and maybe even a bit ridiculous?
 
Is it when we start to see more pain? More of the hard stuff of life? Or maybe it's when we become too busy. Too busy to notice the little gifts of every day.
 
Earlier this week, I read a friend's blog post about her son seeing—in his handful blue crayolas—all of the colors of the rain. How lovely. It has stayed with me since I read it. (Read it here)
 
So, how will noticing the cheerfulness of the sun "popping out" really hinder us? How will looking forward expectantly to our birthday make us foolish? And how will seeing in our crayon box all of the colors of the rain make us less serious about life?
 
Beauty and sweet gifts surround us. Why do we choose to miss seeing them?
 
Then, these sweet little people in our lives remind us—quite wisely—to sing about the sun. Or maybe even the snow in May.

And Christians, of all people, should find joy to be even more joyful. Things should shine more brightly to us—because we know in whom we ultimately rejoice!

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. -Psalm 5:11