When my children were little I loved planning their birthday parties.
I enjoyed thinking about their favorite things and creating a “theme” and plotting out the decorations and food to coordinate. We had cowboy parties, farm parties, princess parties and more! Family and friends were always invited to share this time and make the day special. There was just one thing about these special days that always was a struggle.
Opening gifts.
Now the struggle was not in actually opening the gifts. That part was a breeze! Paper being ripped into, tissue paper being thrown out of bags…no problem!
The struggle came in getting my children to slow down.
Slow down and appreciate the gift once it was opened.
Slow down and acknowledge the gift-giver.
Slow down and say thank you.
Slow down and have a grateful heart.
This morning as I read the scriptures I realized I sometime have this same struggle. And now just on my birthday. And not just when gifts wrapped in paper and bows are given to me. I have this problem when blessings are showered down around me from my heavenly Father.
“Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Everyday I am surrounded by gifts from The King. Gifts from My Father who knows me best. God knows the desires of my heart and He showers blessings all around me. And yet, I forget to “take delight in the Lord”. He asks me to take delight in Him.
Yes, I open the gift. Yes, I tear off the paper. Yes, I even say thank you (sometime).
But I forget to “delight” in His goodness. I forget to acknowledge His generosity. I forget to have a spirit of deep gratefulness. I forget to watch for the unfolding of His blessings.
Today as I clipped my hair up I continually whispered a prayer, “Open the eyes of my heart”. A song came to mind. And I sang, “This is my story, This is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long”. I was reminded that the story of my life, a life redeemed by Jesus, is filled with much to be grateful for. I was reminded that my gifts, given to me by God, are to be treasured. And look what else the lyrics say,
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“Perfect submission, perfect delight,Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels, descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love.”
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“Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest,Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”
(Blessed Assurance, Crosby)
My prayer answered. My eyes opened. As I was taking delight, He whispered love!
During this season that we call Fall. This season we call Harvest. This season that leads up to the day we call Thanksgiving. During this time let’s slow down. Unrush.
Savor the Savior!
Take delight in the Lord!
Each day His blessings abound!
Be grateful with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving!
Jodie
Join us during the month of November! We will continue to Keep It Real in the Chaos. Come and slow down with us! Delight in the Lord until your heart overflows with thanksgiving!
Linking today with Meredith Bernard at http://meredithbernard.com
Jodie, I loved this post. I struggle with this too, and find that I have to be intentional about slowing down and savoring all the blessings that God has given me. Thank you for this beautiful reminder that when we do this, it is so worth it, because we see what was in front of us all along. Oh, and I have to remind my kids to slow down too! 😉 Have a great week.
Abby, You always bless us when you stop by! Sharing this journey together is so beautiful! I look forward to “delighting” in the Lord all November with you!
LOVE this, Jodie! So we are definitely on the same page this week, aren’t we? I also love that song…glad to have it in my head now. 😉 I’m quick to unwrap the gift and toss it aside forgetting to delight in the Giver. I just love that thought and the reminder, friend. Blessings today as we seek to delight in Him together…
Again, thank you for sharing your heart. I know you understand what it means to know that the words God asks us to share are touching a heart and making it move closer to Him! This scripture was in my quiet time today and I thought of all of us out there sharing….Read 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5!
Love the verses of the song. So beautiful. It is easy to miss the gift, isn’t it?
Yes, Kelly! It can be easy to miss the gift. To not enjoy it the way God intended. To overlook that it was even a gift. An heart intentional to praise…a mind thoughtful to give thanks…a soul thirsting for His joy sees the gift, savors the savior and experiences Thanksgiving!