Today, I rewarded myself with FOUR Double-Stuffed Oreos, and I was “this close” to making it to five.
Of no surprise, this treat took place during their nap time, only hours after I firmly explained to our toddlers that we must eat more fruit and veggies to stay healthy and grow big and strong. I could almost hear my own lecture as I sat alone at our kitchen table. In the dark.
It was quiet. It feels like it’s never quiet. All three babies, asleep; just the sound of a lullaby, played on repeat over the monitor.
I just needed to stop and to breathe and to eat these Oreos – right? Can I get an Amen, sister?
Well, not exactly.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11
If you read or listen to enough of scripture, you get a pretty clear message that we cannot find our satisfaction or our fulfillment, our rest and refuge in anything else, really, apart from God. Of course, we can try.
We can try to be the best wife for him to come home to; supper prepared and on the table. We can rock our babies to sleep every night and chase close after them all day. We can paint our nails and our faces and find the fashions that fit just right. We can check on our friends and our families on Facebook and attempt to show our “Love” behind a lit screen every chance we get. We can open a bag of Oreos and sit at the table and forget something so much sweeter awaits…
In Psalm Chapter 16, David begins the passage, asking for God to preserve Him, because in God, he puts his trust.
He goes on further to explain there will be sorrows multiplied for those who “hasten after another god.” And we may dig deeper into what this means.
Way back in Exodus in the Old Testament, God is clear in stating His sovereign position, commanding His people to beware of false gods and the same sentiment is graciously woven throughout Scripture to remind us that joy lives with Jesus.
I think of Paul who endured so much hard, yet knew so much joy. In reading his letter to the Philippians, we can learn from his lead that our priority should be fellowship with the Father — not our flesh.
“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:18-20
And I feel guilt in my gut.
And here lies is the problem with double stuffed Oreos. They are so good.
They are so good, we get distracted or tend to forget there is something even better.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17
I close my eyes and exhale out a prayer to my Father:
Holy, Holy, Holy is your name. Your Kingdom is here — Jesus reign on Earth as you do in Heaven. Open our eyes to the gift of this day, help us feast on your Holy Word and swallow it down. Forgive us for putting so much good above the greatness of you, God; help us to forgive each other and ourselves, too. Lead us not into temptation (as I seal back up that cookie package), but guard us from neglecting your glory is supreme. Yours, God, is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.
And I discover something better than what an Oreo can offer — and that is — having an Oreo with Jesus.
And I drink down grace like a glass of milk, and I know it to be true — my God refreshes me like no other. He is the good stuff; He is the reward. You see, the cookies aren’t the real problem. It’s living so much of a precious day apart from the fellowship of Jesus that is. It’s getting caught up in the busy, the difficult or the sweet and doing the day on our own. We weren’t made for that.
And so I share this encouragement with you today, my friend. Take a moment, make a moment, however a break in your day may come, and spend as much of the time you can with Jesus.
He is always enough.
Love,
Mommy “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Proverbs 3:6 tells us that we are rewarded when we put God first. This doesn’t mean we will be perfect or rich or famous (or thin). It does mean, however, that if this world fails to acknowledge our efforts, God still notices. He will crown us with the same victory of His Son. Nothing could be greater! Spend some time rejoicing in this good news today.
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