Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 25, 2017
Hope postponed grieves the heart; but when a dream comes true, life is full and sweet. Proverbs 13:12, The Voice
“Pop, this is my favorite”. Precious, never to be forgotten words from my 4-year old grandson after we witnessed our favorite college football players walk ten feet in front of us into their locker room. Surreal indeed, with weepy heart I experienced my first encounter of being with my son-in-law and two grandsons in a time and place I never delighted in with my own father or grandfather–but was now given the opportunity to cherish the moment. My moist eyes looked upward, as my hoarse voice whispered a thank you to my heavenly Father. Ambushed by joy, I surrendered to sweet Jesus.
I asked myself, “Why the big deal?” While processing my emotions I uncovered a dream in my heart, a longing to be with my grandsons and son-in-law and experience a bigger than life event. I was reminded of a quote from a friend’s father having enjoyed a similar occasion with his son and grandsons, “Sometimes we don’t have to have dreams for dreams to come true.” So true! I didn’t realize how much this brief window in my life would bring to light my heart’s desire. My deferred hope of shared joy with those who loved me the most was life-giving grace to my soul.
“A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul” (Proverbs 13:19).
What dream sits dormant in your soul? Are you unaware of a deep desire that patiently waits to ambush you with joy? Or perhaps there is a deferred hope you are trusting the Lord to fulfill. Whatever your situation, be encouraged that your heavenly Father specializes in making dreams come true, even those you are unaware of, or perhaps you have not verbalized for fear of setting expectations too high and being let down. Confront your fear and command it to stand down, for love is your weapon to defeat the enemy of reluctance that threatens your soul. Joy awaits you.
Do you hope and pray one day for your child or your parent to seek a relationship with you? Don’t give up! Pray. Keep initiating conversations, sending texts and forwarding photos by email. Your seeds of sincere love hopefully will fall on good soil in God’s timing. Trust Him to unite you. Maybe you feel your career is a dead end road, if so, seek the Lord’s off ramps to other opportunities. Perhaps you reinvent yourself with a new skill set that opens new doors to serve. Your dream may be dead or at best illusive, but stay hopeful and trust Jesus that one day, when least expected–He will ambush you with joy. Shared joy makes life twice as good and half as hard!
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I celebrate and thank You for the unexpected joyful occasions that fill our hearts and souls with thanksgiving and praise for Your goodness, in Jesus’ name, amen.Application
With whom do I need to initiate contact and not give up on growing a relationship?Related Reading
Exodus 33:19; Psalm 33:20, 130:5; Isaiah 30:18; Acts 1:4; Romans 9:15Post/Tweet today
Shared joy makes life twice as good and half as hard! #WisdomHunters #ambushedbyjoyWorship Resource
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