Lately the Lord has been dealing with my heart - about my heart (and my brain that seems to be in planning overdrive these days). While working on a group counseling lesson tonight, I was reminded of a Scripture in the book of Psalms. Davids writes in Psalms 37:4, that we should take delight in the Lord, because He knows, and will give us, the desires of our heart. After a quick Google search, I discovered that the word delight means great pleasure. So, what the Scripture is saying is that we should take great pleasure in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our heart.
There are so many things in life that I take great pleasure in (most of these things involve my husband's laughter - although it is generally at my expense), but I was convicted tonight because I have not been taking great pleasure in the Lord. I have not been delighting in Him as much as I should. I have been too concerned with feeling overwhelmed (or "in my feelings" as Drew would say) that I have forgotten to stop and praise Him for His faithfulness. I have failed to be thankful for THIS SEASON in my life. This season has been full of stress, feeling overwhelmed, uncertainties, and (of course) many happy days. I hope I am not alone in this - but how often I seem to forget the moments of pure joy, because I am too bogged down in just "getting through" to the next phase.
I have a quote on my office wall that says, "The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for betters ones ahead." You know what though, the Lord revealed to me tonight that the trick of life is simple - spend every day, and every moment delighting in Him. Because when we choose to delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart.
My heart has been so heavy regarding a situation and tonight, at this moment (when coincidentally is also the exact time that I received a phone call about the situation - get behind me Satan ;)) I am CHOOSING to delight in the Lord. Is it fun in this moment? Not exactly. Is it easy? No way. But tonight, I know that above all He knows the desires of my heart and I will be joyful while delighting in Him no matter what season of life I am walking through. Because I have peace in knowing that my Jesus is in the waiting with me, and I am going to sit back, relax and delight in Him.
I'll admit it though, sometimes I need a "sign" that I'm not alone in the waiting. A song by Shannon Wexelburg always ministers to my soul during times when I feel weary in the waiting. Tonight I Googled the lyrics to put up on my office wall (notice a theme here), and the first link that showed in the results was titled Hannah's Hope. How perfect is that? Reading through this blog, which told the background story for Shannon's song was like lotion for my dry heart. I am so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness, especially in the times when I feel like I am failing because I need a sign of His faithfulness. In those moments, He gently and lovingly puts one in my path. What a wonderful Savoir.
Please take a moment to read these lyrics, and listen to the song - I pray they encourage you if you are "hanging out" in the waiting like I am.
Blessings,
Hannah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwyvmu-asJI
~In the Waiting~
I’ve tried to be strong
Is there something I’ve done wrong?
‘Cause I’ve been waiting here so long.
You see each tear
As the months have turned to years.
For some reason You must want me here.
But I can see You’re breaking up my fallow ground
In this season of such barrenness,
Lord, I have found
You are in the waiting
In that moment of my life
When my faith and hope collide.
While my heart’s anticipating
Just how and when You’ll move
That’s when you prove
You are in the waiting, too.
So plant Your seed
Till it’s living, Lord, in me.
Make me all You want me to be.
Unveil my eyes
If I’ve exchanged the truth for lies.
Give me faith so I can see
The work that you began
You will complete in me.
And I don’t have to understand the place You’re keeping me.
You give me water in the desert.
You lift me up on eagles’ wings.
And from way up high
I can see my life
From Your view of things.
And though I’ve cried for an answer
I believe that I can say:
“Thank You, Lord, for every answer
You’ve delayed.”
