One afternoon last week I had finished up my run and was walking back home, contemplating an "assignment" from the previous day's Bible study. The assignment had been to take a nature walk and pick up seven items that teach me something about God, especially as it applies to the God of hope who is continually creating and recreating His world and the people who occupy it. (This speaking specifically to the area of change in our lives). The weather had been quite nasty and I had neglected to do the assignment when it was given. As I walked along that afternoon, I began to think about what it was I would have picked up if I had done the assignment and why. The first thing that came to my mind were "poppers" (oak galls) and the simple pleasure I get watching Eileigh enjoy stepping on them- and let's be honest here, the delight I have crunching one under my own foot. As I was thinking to myself that it's too bad it's March and impossible to find one, lo and behold: a popper lay right in my path. This is the same path I walk every time I head home. I haven't seen one in months. I gleefully picked it up and carefully began to carry it home to Eileigh, silently sending a thank You Heavenward when I heard it. Deep in my spirit, so gently, so lovingly. "Jenae, you take pleasure in such a small thing. How much more do I take pleasure in you, child of Mine?" That fragile little ball was a gift- not just given for a brief moment of happiness but to remind me that my loving Father delights in me: His creation and His child. Revelation 4:11 (King James translation) "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Have you delighted in His tender love lately? Have you let Him delight in you?
