Delight: Extreme Satisfaction; Joy

Keep company with God,
    get in on the best.
(Psalm 37:4 The Message)
 
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you your heart’s desires.
(Psalm 37:4 NLT)
 
 
 
 
Last month filled my heart with great satisfaction. I kept company with God with my nieces and nephews. We had quiet, creative mornings and fun-filled afternoons. We met with friends and we stayed home.
 
My favorite memory of the month was introducing them to the idea of meeting with Jesus in their heart room. My sister gave us a book of meditations to read over the month. Most mornings after breakfast, we gathered in the quiet corner and contemplated some object that introduced us to an aspect of God’s love and presence in our lives.
 
We imagined a kite flying freely in the sky, and then we thought about how God holds us secure, yet allows us to express ourselves freely. How the presence of the Holy Spirit sustains us and thrills us as we soar in God’s loving care.
 
One day we recalled the birth of Jesus. Then we contemplated the cross and the pain He suffered on our behalf. The next day we celebrated His triumph over death. We remembered His sacrifice with the bread and with the cup.
 
Our days together ended with a loss. During our last week together, our dear dog, age fourteen, became feebler. Each child responded in their own way, when we told them she had died. We cried and talked about her life, and my youngest niece led us in a meaningful memorial time by burying Milli’s collar and play toy in the garden.
 
What delight children and pets bring to our lives. I am grateful for the time we had together, both the highs and lows of the month. As we go into July, I have prayer on my heart.
 
Sometimes I find it difficult to pray. At those times I am drawn to the written prayers of others. Last week, also marked the death of a dear family friend. She lived far from us, and I am thankful for the years we were able to visit with her the past several summers. Over the years my family and I enjoyed Mary’s company and her hospitality, whenever we came in to town for a visit.
 
Here is a prayer for those who love her and miss her:
 
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort, deal graciously we pray as we mourn, casting all our care on Thee, knowing the consolation of Thy love; through Christ Jesus Our Lord.
 
(Book of Common Prayer 1928, adapted)

Wonder and Delight

 
My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
Psalm 62:5 NKJV
 
 

 
 
 
 
This weekend I was wondering if I should take a couple weeks off from blogging, so I gave myself persmission to do just that.
 
 
Then this morning, I noticed the two chairs I recently placed around the table, painted with the words: Wonder and Delight.
 
I chose delight last summer, so I decided to paint another word on the second folding chair. I thought to myself, what word goes with delight? Moments later, wonder popped into my mind. I was delighted.
 
Always needing more definition in my life, I went to the dictionary to search out the meaning.
 
wonder (n): a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or inexplicable. (New American Oxford Dictionary)
 
Ahhh…the joy of words strung together like jewels on a necklace. As I marvelled over the depth of wonder, I began to worship the One who delights to reveal Himself through words.
 
Here is a little poem to our Wonderful God, who delights in our praises.
 
Why,
O, Lord, do such
New and amazing
Discoveries
Enter daily into my
Reality?
 
May this be your experience today:
 
Wide-
Opened eyes delighting in
New
Discoveries.
Embracing ever-widening
Reality.