Delights
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
One day at dusk, a bright red glow outside caught my eye as I was passing my bedroom window. I stopped to see what it was, and was surprised by the beauty of the sunset at that exact moment. “Oh, how pretty,” I thought to myself, and walked away. It won’t last. It never does. A few moments of brilliance, and then it’ll be gone.
Several minutes later, passing the same window, I noticed the red glow was still there. This time I stopped to really look and drink it in. Dark clouds appeared to have been swept in large arcs across a wide swath of brilliant oranges and pinks. The distant mountains made a black silhouette, as did tall pines across the fields. Through the clouds, an airplane cut a razor-straight path that slowly widened and thickened.
I could not stop looking at it. It fed my hungry soul, bringing beauty and rest, magnificence and glory. I was filled with its grandeur, majesty, and creativity. The sight made me smile, knowing that the Great Artist had painted this scene for whoever would stop and look. It was a gift of inner nourishment, and a time to notice the Father. God builds these moments into our lives, but we often pass them by, dismissing them as common.
As parents, we sometimes give our children gifts just so we can see the look on their faces. We are ready with the camera on Christmas morning to capture forever their delight in that shiny new bike or that wiggly puppy. We want the kids to have fun, so we give gifts that they will play with and enjoy.
Perhaps our Heavenly Father does the same. We know the Scriptures tell us that He gives good gifts to His children. Are we stopping to enjoy them? Do we see the beautiful things He freely gives? Are we having fun? Do we take time to play as children should? Do we even believe God wants us to have fun? Or have our lives become a drudgery, with our heads bent to the grindstone, our hearts and minds rubbed raw by the busy demands of life?
It isn’t laziness to stop and enjoy. Take a rest. Notice the sunsets. Laugh with the children. Play with the puppies. Dance and sing and shout! Enjoy the delightful things He gives, even if it is just a fleeting moment. Fill up on the abundance of the Lord’s presence around us. Take delight in Him and what He gives. Give yourself permission to notice and give thanks for what God has done!
Would you post a reply to share what delights the Lord has brought to you? What makes you smile? Lift someone’s spirits today.
Jesus, Your presence is enough, and yet You give us so much to enjoy. May we be aware of the beauties You give, just because You love us. Amen.
Thank you for this! There are so many things…I love the uniqueness of clouds, I think they’re cool looking. I love the changing of seasons. Just when I think I can’t
take another 100+ degree day, I walk out to a cool breeze just in time!
The shear delight of my granddaughter’s face as she collects the bight green acorns that drop from the many majestic oak trees and then drops them in her basket.
It’s hard for me to allow time for pleasure and rest. The recent cool mornings have been a blessed time of fellowship in Gods word and rest in Christ.
The red faced happiness of a boy running a race
Sunsets and sunrises and full and sliver moons! All bring me so much joy🙌🙌
Grandchildren!
At the end of my day, looking at the “Find My” app on my cellphone and seeing all my children and my husband safely back at home for the night.
Beautiful bouquets of wild flowers & weeds growing through the run down roads across the country… while waiting in road work !! 💝👏💝
The beauty of wildlife. Last week or so it was a bear and yesterday a mt lion as I drove home. The deer and fawns in our backyard. Bird, turkeys, and foxes daily at our feeders. Oops, I mean backyard.