Eucatastrophe

Sometimes, as a parent you are given a chance of doing something so unexpectedly fun that you are met with gigantic grins of disbelief when you tip the scales and hand over a heaping serving of joy. Say, for instance, that you're watching a baking show on the other side of the blackout curtains where your children are going to sleep. As the show progresses, you hear the faintest of whispers from the oldest, trying to convince the younger to feign sleep in order to get a peep of the tv through the gap in the curtain. You hear the tiny giggles of delight at their own cleverness, see the little finger gently and subtly moving back the curtain a little father, just to peek. Yes, it's past bedtime, and so being allowed to watch the show with mom and dad at this time of night has not even entered their minds. And so imagine how much greater the delight, when that coveted glance is turned into an invitation, "Do you want to come watch with us?," to snuggle and enjoy the grown up fun. The eucatastrophe of being caught awake after bedtime and instead of send back to bed with a scold, being taken out into the arms of your parents, and dreaming with them of the most delicious baked goods, (even one of your favorite bakes in the world is depicted). What delight could top this? 

Perhaps the delight that they haven't even envisioned. Perhaps the delight of the parents, having their own secret fun as they decide to let their children join them. Perhaps the perfect joy of seeing their surprised and giddy faces, hearing their little voices in awe of the treats on the screen. Perhaps the joy of the giver, who had the opportunity for one little evening to tip the world over into pure delight. Perhaps the wonder of realizing, isn't this, on a very small scale, a picture of our own loving Father?