In the hectic parking lots and the long lines, in the displays that have been disorganized by customers, and the empty shelves I found myself humming to myself Psalm 23. "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want." I sang it to myself a few times as I walked around Hobby Lobby looking for Christmas cards and the words began to weigh on my heart. All around me were people collecting items for the wants of others. Even I had so many things in the store that I envisioned would add character to my new home.
Again.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
It hit me that a season that is all about the spotless lamb who has come to shepherd the world we celebrate Jesus in the season but forget rest of the line, yet if I asked most Christians to finish "The Lord is my Shepherd" most would know the words following but how often to we gloss over them to recite how He leads us near still waters and to righteousness." How often to we let our hearts sit on those words "I shall not want."
It's something to pray about that we would be fully satisfied in Him.
What are the things you want? Are you putting them before the Shepherd? Would you love Him even if He didn't give you what you want? Perhaps sometimes that's how He leads us to still water and righteousness.
I have so many things to be thankful for.
My wonderful husband.
A great new church.
Our beautiful home.
Our sweetie Gracie Lou who is more human than any dog I've ever met.
Wonderful friends.
Work in a pro-life office.
and many more things...
Yet I find my heart attached to my wants at times and sometimes I feel my heart so attached to wants that I mistakenly view them as needs or rights. God has shown me every good and perfect gift is from Him and He gives me desires in my heart but only when I delight myself in Him. He has given me so much grace and blessed me in so many ways. It's amazing truly what He has done just in 2014 alone and I'll be sure to make a post capturing all of that very soon.
Friends this season let's worship Him. Let's step away from the wants and let Him be our shepherd. Let's put down our expectations if the perfect thing is behind the wrapping paper and in the card. Let's not worry if the gathering goes perfectly or the house is Pinterest perfect. Let's simply love Him, take a deep breath and enjoy what we have.
let's grow in contentment this Christmas season.
God bless you and keep you and let His face shine upon you.
Let's delight in Him. <3
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