Today I am traveling in Israel and the Palestinian territories with a group of women desiring to listen deeply and learn. To be present to God and to each person we meet. I’ll be posting about our time here, but today I’m trying to absorb and process.
So as we approach Halloween, I decided to edit a post from last year. I’m grateful many new folks have found this blog over the past 12 months and I pray God uses this to encourage you today.
I think that Halloween is my husband’s favorite day of the year. Odd, I know for a pastor. The pc answer should be Easter,right?
But honestly, I think he likes Halloween best because there’s not much that brings him as much joy as handing out candy and oohing and ahhing over every single kid’s costume. He looks forward all year to parking his chair by the front door and waiting for kids to come.
Even though he’s terrible at figuring out what the costumes are, he greets each kid as if they were THE most amazing, creative, delightful goblin of the night.
Last night he took it to a new level. He carried his rocking chair outside and our firepit along with a jack-o-lantern and a big basket of candy.
As I was watching him it struck me how much his posture towards the kids is like God’s towards us, only we usually miss it.
How many times do we approach God as if the lights were out and the door locked tight? Like we have to convince Him to care…to show up…to answer us?
Instead, the Bible says He stands at the door.
He’s the father out watching for His son to come home, He’s the party-giver inviting us to a banquet, He delights in us, sings over us.
His heart is the one of a father who keeps pictures of us on his screen-saver, and whips out pictures of us from his wallet.
It’s no trick. The door isn’t locked. The lights aren’t off. He is an incredibly personal God who is crazy about His kids who show up.
Is it easy or hard for you to believe God delights in you as His beloved child?
I haven’t seen you in a few years(!) but this post makes it feel like you live next door. I have always felt special and loved whenever John is around because of his posture and excitement toward me(kids). I’m jealous we can’t come trick-or-treat at your house! What a blessing to use your hubby as the example of God’s delight in His children.
You’re so sweet! John will be manning the door at home alone this year and would LOVE to see you and your brood show up! 🙂