Summer contentment

Summer has arrived. Not what I expected, but the warmth and restfulness is such a blessing. Blue skies and maple leaves waving outside my bedroom window, the orchard rich with growing apples and a million green leaves, lush landscapes and colorful wildflowers along the roadside. I love living in paradise...

The Spring passed quickly, amazingly enough, and God took such good care of me throughout the time that my dear daughter was experiencing Mexico and life apart from me with a whole new tribe. I was amazed at the grace God poured out on me - ocean of grace to discover that He truly is enough for me.

If I will let Him be.

The choice is mine of course. He stands ready and waiting to whisk me into His arms, to extend comfort, to lay with me and to lead me in paths of righteousness. It's not all about me of course, as much as I tend to secretly imagine. A line from Scripture that I speak often to others comes to speak to me...

"Godliness with contentment is a means of GREAT GAIN". Yes Karen, contentment even if I'm not the one having the adventure. Contentment even if it's just me and Jesus laying here on my bed together, in silence. Contentment even if I don't have something fantastic to anticipate in the near future. Contentment when there are so many unknowns and hours alone. Contentment in the midst of discomfort... It is possible! It is letting Jesus be the most important One.

So I'm slowly remembering that it's about blessing Him by blessing others. Bringing pleasure to Jesus through simple acts of kindness that don't feel really significant or super spiritual. Smile. Funny how I've made things complicated by forgetting that loving God and our neighbors are the commandments that Jesus said were the most important.

So, in this summer that is so quiet for me and so not what I had anticipated, help me to remember, precious Jesus that I can bless you through the simplest acts.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (have I thanked you today Lord for the safe pasture I enjoy? I am so grateful...)
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37

I'm not quite sure what the desires of my heart are right now at this transitional period of my life, but thankfully God knows what they are. I'd almost be afraid of asking for the wrong thing, so I'll just ask that He would line up my desires with His....more and more and more. One thing I do know that I want, at least I hope I do..."for my inheritance give me the lost". Does that sound too big? Not for God in me.

Well, enough ramblings on this lazy summer afternoon. He is with me and that is enough.