Delightful Details

Cooped up indoors for months, we four raced outside one melty Sunday. The kids scramble for the hill slide shouting ‘Daddy, watch me!’ I headed straight to the half finished snow fort to add another layer to its walls. Daddy watched as his smiley darlings slipped down the hill. I listened to their giggles and conversation while busily pushing snow balls into boulders. After a while, the children wandered off. The only sound was the distant swishing of snowsuits and the soft crunch of my growing snow boulder. I looked up to notice my husband leaning against his truck, watching me with folded arms and a wide grin. I must have been a sight; a grown woman crawling around huffing and pushing, focused intently on building a snowball. I giggled.

“Wanna join me?”

“Not really.” He smiled.

“Want to lay together and watch the sky?”

“Where?”

We walked over to a soft snow bank, plunked ourselves in and reclined. Our little ones noticed and ran to join us. Cool air wafted against our cheeks as cotton clouds drifted across a crisp blue sky.

I love how marriage can mirror God’s love. The more I get to know God, the more I realize he loves me like that – he delights in me, even when I look silly. (or even because of it) He laughs, giggles and plays with me. He sits with me, enjoys things with me. God made joy!

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalm 37:23

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Saviour.
   He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.
      He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Zephaniah 3:17

My husband standing with folded arms just enjoying whatever I looked like – that spoke of God’s love to me. I imagine that, when I’m doing life – parenting, pulling my hair out, hiding a bowl of chips, or even when I’m doing a secret happy dance – God is smiling at me. He loves my antics, and loves the way He made me.

God has been opening my eyes to His grace and love these last couple of years, and it changes me completely! I am new because of His mercy. God isn’t the distant dictator I once labelled him – He’s my loving father, tender husband, best friend and brother. I can pose any question, (Luke 11:10) request help with anything - even with how to talk to him! (Romans 8:26)

Because I’m getting that He loves me, I can trust God – and that impacts everything!  If I can really believe that God adores me, gets a kick out of me and wants the very best for me … I want to please Him and know Him more. This love and grace drives me to do his will – I’m desperate for it!

Thank you Lord, for initiating our relationship. Thank you for pursuing me and delighting in me. I am overwhelmed! I am moved. Your love is crazy and I don’t think I’ll ever understand it all – I almost crumble with the little understanding I have! Abundance is right! And there’s always more. Amazing. Thank you that you are good and I can trust you completely. Oh! What a relief! What peace and joy. I can hardly think of it without crying! Woo! I love you so much and can’t wait to love you more. Thank you for changing this heart every day, for moving me. Thank you for your tenderness. There aren’t enough words. I can’t wait to be with you forever.

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