This post is going to be a bit of a hard left turn from previous posts, but I am excited to jump back into blogging and figure this is as good a way as any.
As I wandered down the stairs this morning, readying my heart for some time with God, I found myself kind of whining ~ the long and short of it was, "I have 'issues', Lord. Please help me. I could really use some joy." Now, I know the difference between "happiness" (a feeling based on what is going on in the moment, based on circumstances) and "joy" (a state of my heart based purely on knowing God and who He is, independent of circumstances), and what I was actually talking about was happiness, though, in this moment, I chose the word joy. (Did I just lose you? Are your eyes glazing over? Stick with me.) As I opened the door out onto the porch, I found myself face-to-face with a deer, two of them actually, but one locked eyes with me and even took a step or two forward to check me out.
We both just stood there, staring at each other for quite awhile, until the inevitable urge to run for my camera won out. It was an awesome moment. I snapped some pictures and then they wandered into the front yard, where they proceeded to eat the many nuts that have fallen on our driveway, and I proceeded with my quiet time, journaling madly in my notebook, thrilled to be sharing my space with them.
I was reminded of a bible verse from Habakkuk, which is the title of a book I read (and of this post) a number of years ago. I looked it up and it goes like this:
The LORD God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
Habakkuk 3:19
I doubt my thoughts on this verse will make it into any bible commentaries, but to me, this morning, it reminded me that God IS my strength. A hind (or deer) in the mountains, needs to be sure~footed and God created their feet to manage the rough-spots, do the job, and get them to the top. God is walking with ME, making MY footsteps sure as I navigate these rough spots of life, and on His strength, I will make it to MY high places.
I had a wonderful time of sharing my heart with the Lord, ending with a number of things to thank Him for. It went kind of like this:
Lord, You are the Creator of such beauty. Thank you for so faithfully revealing Yourself to me in Nature time and time again ~ what a gift!
Thank you so much that, for now, my "issues" are small ones ~ I am over-whelmingly blessed by You and I am so sorry for the times that I forget that ~ please forgive me.
And most of all, Thank you for who You are...a God who is ALWAYS there for me, walking with me, making my footsteps sure. No matter how many times I lose sight of You, You still reach out and remind me of Your presence. You ALWAYS show up.
And finally, Thank you for this morning. Who am I that you would give me that moment ~ eyes locked with that deer? I am overwhelmed by both Your love and how little I deserve it ~ yet You generously give it. It is just who You are.
Well, that's my story. My heart started out seeking "happiness", yet it found "joy". Ask and you shall receive. Thanks for letting me share it with you.
