It’s funny how life’s sweetest moments often come in the middle of the mundane—like cooking up yet another meal for my crew of four kids many years ago. That day, my youngest had a bounce in his step because I’d snagged his favorite pickles at the grocery store—the cold, crispy kind that make you feel like you’re biting into pure yumminess.
I barely got the groceries unpacked when I heard the telltale thump of feet pounding up our split-foyer stairs. He burst into the kitchen, his face lighting up like he’d found treasure. “Mom! You got my pickles!”
I reminded him to pace himself—just one pickle, not the whole jar in a single sitting. Because, trust me, he could! Begrudgingly, he agreed, popped the lid, and plucked out his prized snack. And then came the moment I’ll never forget.
He stood there, pickle in hand, at the top of the stairs. He looked at me with the most serious expression a young boy can muster and declared, “Mom, I love these pickles. They make me feel invincible.”
Before I could respond, he launched himself off the top step like a superhero mid-flight, clutching that pickle like it held all the power in the world. I froze for a second, wondering if I’d hear the crash of a miscalculation—but nope. He stuck the landing and ran off, leaving me standing there, laughing so hard I couldn’t see straight.
Finding the Joy—and Strength—That Makes Us Invincible
I’ve thought about that day so many times. My boy wasn’t wrong—there’s something about joy that makes us feel invincible. When we’re filled with it, we leap boldly, run fearlessly, and tackle life with a strength that defies logic.
And isn’t that exactly what God offers us? But instead of a pickle jar, it’s His Word, His promises, and His presence that fill us up.
The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). That kind of joy isn’t just a warm fuzzy feeling—it’s power. It’s the unshakable confidence that no matter how steep the staircase or how wild the leap, God’s got us.
We tend to underestimate joy. Life gets heavy—bills, work, relationships, health—and we think joy is something optional, like sprinkles on top of a cupcake. But it’s not.
Joy is fuel.
Joy is strength.
Joy is the spark that makes us bold enough to leap into the unknown, trusting that God will steady our landing.
Let’s Talk About the Jars in Our Lives
Here’s the thing, though. We all have “pickle jars” in life—those things we turn to for a quick fix when we’re running on empty. For my son, it was literally pickles. For us, it might be caffeine, binge-watching TV, scrolling on our phones, or chasing after stuff that only fills us up temporarily.
But the only thing that truly satisfies is the joy that comes from walking with God. It’s not found in a jar or a fridge—it’s in His Word, His presence, and His faithfulness.
When we choose to spend time with Him, even in the chaos of life, He fills us with joy that makes us feel… dare I say… invincible. Not because we’re strong, but because He is.
So, What’s Your Pickle?
Next time you’re feeling run down or stuck at the top of life’s staircase, remember my son and his pickle-powered leap. Then take a moment to ask God to fill you with His joy—the kind that strengthens you for the jump and gives you confidence in the landing.
Because when you’re filled with the joy of the Lord, you can tackle anything—even if it’s just another day in the kitchen, cooking up a storm.
And hey, maybe grab a pickle while you’re at it. After all, they might just make you feel invincible too.