I celebrated a birthday recently, and my granddaughter Natalie found the perfect card for Pap. My son said she just giggled & giggled when she found it, and had been beside herself waiting to give it to me. Yesterday while I was doing some painting at their new home, Natalie came to share a little belated birthday lunch and to share the card with me. I was upstairs and heard her come running into the house asking, “Where’s Pap?” She came running upstairs and wanted to hand me the card even though my hands were covered in paint. She was giggling and giggling … beside herself … as I washed up then opened the card. Of course I played along and feigned how offended I was by the card! It’s a game we have played since she was a wee girl. Those who know me best will immediately ‘get’ why the card was so funny to her. I’m a plain eater. I’ve always wanted my burgers plain, no ketchup, mustard or anything! Plain! Today I’ll put lettuce on my burger and that’s been a major maturity move on my part!
Back in the day when a special order was a major imposition at McDonalds, my family would groan when I ordered a plain 15 cent burger which meant the entire family would wait a half hour for their food! So Natalie always teases Pap about putting stuff on my burger, and I always act alarmed! Her card with the burger piled high just made her giggle with delight!
What do you delight in? The touch of someone you love? The sound of the ocean? The taste of your favorite food? The sun on your face on a summer day? The softness and smell of a baby? The nuzzle of a beloved pet? The Lord has given us a world of delights! Never lose the ability to take delight in the Lord’s wonders!
Sisters & brothers, never lose delight in your relationship with your Lord! Psalm 1 says, “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 CSB
The Lord God delights in you! He has surrounded you with a world of delights. He has provided your salvation with His own blood. He loves you! And He has provided you His Word, the Bible, to guide you and to provide for your joy, care, blessing, and assurance.
So even if you face some troubles today, know for sure how deeply loved you are! And open your heart, your mind, and your Bible and delight yourself in the Lord!
Delighting in the Lord,
Larry M. Dentler – CBC Executive Board member
