I sit at Starbucks right now with my mocha americano and I ponder the lovingkindesses of the Lord.
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
my soul longs for You, as a parched land.
Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
do not hide Your face from me,
or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
for I trust in You;
teach me the way in which I should walk;
for to You I lift up my soul.
-Psalm 143:5-8
Lovely words which I read this morning. I do still mean to read Hebrews at some point today, but my time flees, my time trickles away as sand in an hourglass. I’m excited to start reading Hebrews soon though, since in my OT reading I am going through Exodus(and soon Leviticus) so will be so intriguing to be reading the ceremonial and moral law of the Hebrews compared to the work and glories of the gospel as revealed in Christ by the author of the book of Hebrews! And seeing the faint glories of God that are proclaimed by the shadows of the past…praise be to God for the mysteries of the gospel that have been revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord and His tragic death and most shocking resurrection!!!
Now further – what shall I say? I did mean to write this entry to chronicle a bit of the past day and I suppose I can do that (but quickly!). Indeed yesterday was a marvelous day that was given to me by my Lord in which I was reminded of the love that is mine, both from my God and from my many dear friends with whom I have been blessed abundantly! And while it mostly consisted of work(but at least it was Friday, so duties were not overly onerous!), it was delightful to come back to my place at the end of the day and relish a weekend ahead. After my workout, I walked down to EQ and enjoyed an hour on the porch there, reading my new book(about mitochondria and their origins and function in the cell…yes I’m a nerd and yes I’m far too excited by the subject matter!! …still waiting for them to mention farandolae…) and then I walked home. Didn’t have any more free time then, for it was about time for Earnie and Peter to come over! I really meant not to plan anything last night, but both of them made mention of the fact that we should get together so I acquiesced and a delightful evening was had. Earnie brought drinks and Peter brought a cake(chocolate and vanilla with strawberries on top!!) and I picked up some Pizza Hut…and so we talked and ate and shared the highs and lows of our past year…and reminded ourselves of the goodness of the Lord in each other’s lives and it was beautiful. And so did I get the quiet night I had anticipated? No. Did I get the early night’s sleep I expected? A thousand times no, since I think I didn’t get to bed until after one! Was I blessed muchly by the events of the evening? A thousand times yes.
And then this morning, after a few hours sleep, I woke up and had a cup of coffee and a scant few minutes’ reading time…and then off to breakfast with Jake and Julian and Earnie…hours spent around a food-laden table, discussing our lives and our loves and the passion that fills our hearts to know Christ and to make Him known. To have such godly and loving friends as I do…I hesitate to say I deserve any of this, for I truly don’t. I only know that I treasure such moments, quiet morning talks with far too much coffee and an abundance of encouraging, uplifting and fruitful conversation.
Now I sit here at Starbucks. And as my mocha americano lingers on the tongue, memories of wistful eyes and dark brown curls linger in the mind. Yes yes, I shall not think over-long on this, but as Jake mentioned today about Katie being in his current bible study…she crossed my mind yet again. But hey – she is not for me and all is well with my soul.
About time to go do some shopping and errands…and then looking forward to a brunch with Jules – I know not what we will talk about, but I do know that our time will be lovely, as it always is. And tonight…Jared is coming over to hang out and watch the Lightning game together. Game 5 of Eastern Finals…go Tampa Bay!!! (Beat the Caps! – words I almost never say!!)
I must fly, but as is noted in the many words above, I have been given far too much. I am unworthy and unholy in oh so many ways. But in the way that matters most, I am holy for I am forgiven. I know a God who is far too beautiful for my mind to truly comprehend. But I do strive to know Him yet more and more. And I am known by a God who is far too beautiful to me. It is a wonderous thing that I would be called a child of God. And such I am.
Deepest peace and truest love.
