I Just Want YOU

Hair a mess.
Mismatched pajamas.
Stuffed caterpillar in one hand (evidently the precious and beloved animal of choice today).

My almost 3-year-old daughter came downstairs to greet me as I sat with her baby sister in the play room.  I was trying to pick up toys faster than the baby could get them back out.  I was losing.

As I sigh in frustration and admit my defeat, God filled my heart to overflowing once more.
He's really good at that.

But, as my daughter climbed into my lap and squeezed my neck, God also reminded me of an important lesson I need to learn.

Again.

Wanting to immediately get up and fix my daughter breakfast, she showed me a better way.
"Do you want oatmeal or cereal this morning?"

"I just want YOU."

That may not have been one of the options, but it was certainly the best choice.
And so we sat there.
She curled up against my chest, and I wrapped my arms tight around her and rested my chin on her head.  I could smell her morning breath, but I kissed her sweet little head time and time again anyway.

As I soaked up that precious moment, God whispered in my ear, "THIS is what I want you to do."

How often am I rushing to get things done?
How many times do I glance at the verse of the day on my Bible app and then get on with my day?
How many times do I offer up a quick plea for help or a half-hearted "God bless them" instead of getting down on my knees and pouring my heart out in TRUE, earnest prayer?

When I did start wanting God's promises and blessings more than I wanted God Himself?!

Just minutes before I read in Sara Hagerty's new book Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet how she too had come to the realization that God was asking her to love Him no matter what, even if He didn't give her the life she so desperately wanted, even if He didn't answer her prayers the way she expected.

She took 3 days to answer His question.
I guess God wanted an answer from me sooner than that.

Only minutes after I soak up her words and posted them on Facebook for the whole world to see (and be impressed at what a good Christian I must be), did God knock on my heart to make sure I knew He meant business.

TODAY.

What about you?
Have you made the same mistake I did?

Are you ready to shift your thinking with me?
Are you willing to work with me to pursue GOD and just the good gifts He has to offer us?

I know I can't do this alone.
I know myself and my tendency to go back to my old ways.
I know I could use support, encouragement, accountability.

If you are up for walking this road with me, please let me know.
If you want to take that step, but are scared or unsure, please let me know.
We can go forward, together.  Hand in hand.
Blinders on.
Eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.
Our joy.
Our prize.
Our ultimate promise.

Yes, I want HIM and Him alone.
And so today, I crawl up on my Heavenly Father's lap, lean against His chest, and sigh deeply as I feel His strong arms wrap tightly around me.  I sense His strength.  I am filled with peace.

I close my eyes and tell Him once more, "I just want YOU."
Surprisingly, I hear my Father echo the same sentiment back to me.

"I just want YOU."

"In His presence is the fullness of joy!" ~Psalm 16:11