"His Good Pleasure"

Tim McGraw sings "Just to see you smile, I'd do anything that you wanted me to." This is truly a romanic gesture, and one that every girl and guy longs to have promised to them.
Sometimes I get the impression that God feels the same way, and has more than proven that fact in all the blessings, answered prayers and gifts given of grace, forgiveness, love and hope. More so than we could possibly fathom, know, or understand.

I've asked God a lot of questions pertaining to why I'm still single. I know people that love me ask God that question too. On all outside appearances it doesn't make sense to my feeble mind. I've done everything his way, why doesn't he bless me? Then I quickly retract my faithless thoughts, knowing he has blessed me a thousand times over and I couldn't possibly know the extent of them. I know a few reasons why, and I've made up a few as well. To my family, I'm lazy, unsocial, too picky, with standards that are unrealistic... I'm really busy with church. I run around constantly, focused on my girls and our student worship leaders. Then there's the DR trips. I understand that with all of this, I couldn't possibly start a family. And I am picky with really high standards, but that seems logical in light of all that is at stake in building a family, and linking your life with someone for the rest of your life. More than my feelings are a factor, but I digress... That's not what I wanted to talk about. My dearest friend Lori told mea few weeks ago via email that I was "set apart for His good pleasure and purpose." Now, the purpose part I knew (how many times have I heard and told myself: "God has a plan"?), but the "good pleasure" part- that caught me.

"His good pleasure"... I never considered the fact that my purity and obedience to Him made Him smile. That maybe he was keeping me this way as a testament to his goodness. I'm not bragging. I've done nothing but say okay to whatever new he desires to set me apart. He provides the strength and the foresight, as well as insight, to see that His way is and is going to be best. I know myself well enough to know that without it, I wouldn't be this way. I'm not good enough on my own.
"Just to see You smile, I'd do anything that you wanted me to." Doesn't that seem like the proper response to a King who gave up everything to have a REAL relationship with a peasant who couldn't even buy her needs let alone her Freedom?

So I don't date. Not just because I have too much to do and am focusing on my relationship with God, but because I gave God all rights and control in my life. I can't take matters into my own hands, because I believe Him and in His goodness. And I won't kiss until my wedding day, but not because I'm afraid of "going too far"- it's because He wants me to wait. So I said okay.
And these things make Him smile.

Jesus doesn't just want you to love the poor, feed the hungry, and care about people you've never met. Does your life honor him? Do you respond to His promptings of molding yourself more to Him and alienating yourself from a world that is not your home with "Okay, just to see you smile."?

This just made my waiting so much more bearable. I can't even tell you. Is it going to make it a breeze? Of course not! When you want something, waiting is hard! Just because you love and trust Jesus, it doesn't mean you go numb. It just makes my questions of "when?" seem pointless. Who cares, now? If it makes God happy for me to be in this situation, okay. When it changes, he'll be displaying his goodness in a different way. But he's always, ALWAYS good.
I can just see Him winking at the angels as He rolls up His sleeves to show me the next steps to give Him glory. He whispers in my ear, "Watch this," and then He smiles.
He actually does this on a regular basis... ;)

1st post

I almost feel silly.
"Why would anyone want to read what I write?" I'm asking myself.

Part of my getting it anyways is to "follow" my friends blogs. :)

We'll see how this goes. :)