Near Big Sur, CA
Mar-less skies equated well with the skin barring populous; winter sheltered bodies abandoning themselves to the heat, the caress, the kiss of the sun - the air fragrant with Coppertone, zinc oxide and cocoa butter.
Every size, shape, age, and culture dotted the beach; some under umbrellas, some with babies in tents, some playing touch football, volleyball, or chasing dogs down the sandy mile. Others lay on candy striped towels reading, napping, or shielding their eyes from the sun with a carelessly flung forearm across their face.
The waves, unceasing, rhythmically pounded the shore and conveyed surfers gracefully on their backs. The sun danced like diamonds skipping along the surface of the water; retina searing in brilliance, red dots dancing in playful choreography as a result.
Sandy toes, feet wet from the surf; the tops slightly red from exfoliation and sun. Happy and relaxed, smiles and laughter abound. Squealing children flirt with the chilly water – in and out, in and out, trying to outrun the tide. Dogs bark as cherished balls fling far and wide into the ocean.
The scene may have had action in it, but serenity is what I felt - deep rooted tranquility and calmness; an overabundant peacefulness and quietness of soul. I walked the beach for hours that day – hours and hours and hours. I passed family’s celebrating birthdays, groups getting together for barbeques, others lighting bonfires and clinking bottles of beer in camaraderie… friends, families, co-workers, groups working together for a singular purpose: enjoyment.
It made me smile. I was having fun watching others enjoy themselves; finding amusement and pleasure in others experiencing joy.
I think God enjoys seeing his kids having fun. He likes to see his children laughing, smiling, experiencing joy. He likes to see them working together to bring enjoyment and happiness to those around them. I think it makes him smile.
It made me pause and think about what else brings God joy. What makes him laugh, grin and smirk in enjoyment? What causes him to laugh out loud and slap his knee in delight?
I came to the conclusion that we do. We cause God immense, incalculable pleasure. We cause him to smile and laugh and grin. We are his favorites in the universe. We are his preferred, his beloved, his favored, we are much-loved. Very, very much-loved.
Do you know you bring God joy? Your presence brings God pleasure? Do you realize you are a beloved, favored and very much-loved child? Do you understand that no matter what you have done, are doing or will do - God’s opinion of you won’t change?
To be honest – I know this truth. I teach this truth. I try (notice the verb here) to live this truth – but don’t always embody it to the fullest. What blocks me from realizing the fullness God’s love for me? Different things on different days.
What about you? What blocks, obstructs, deters, hinders, or frustrates your connection to God’s immeasurable love for you? Do you believe he loves (even likes) you for who you are now, today, this moment? What keeps you from gaining this confidence?
Updates:
Work – 33 trainees! Whoo Hoo! 22 in person, 10 on remote! This is one of our biggest classes yet – incredible! We had KickOff training the 28th and our fist weekday session on August 1st, the first remote training launches on the 6th.
Personal – God is so cool. Two weeks ago I wanted a new dress for a dinner I was going to and felt God told me to go to Ross. Without the money to purchase anything I may find I shopped anyway, thinking God must have a plan or he wouldn’t have sent me to the store. I found a pretty blue dress. Then I stood in line, talking to God the entire time “Um, how are we going to pay for this? I don’t want to go into debt over a dress!” PING went my phone – someone PayPal’d me money – and yep, it was what I needed for the dress! Hee Hee Hee! Thanks God for the new birthday dress!
Requests:
Work – With so many trainees, we need help! Hospitality, room set up, kid corralling, scorecard clients, dessert makers, trash taker-outers, coaches, intercessors… if you have time on a Monday, Wednesday or training Saturday, LET US KNOW!
Personal – The Johnsons are leaving for vacation on Sunday and the staff and I are driving the bus. Prayer coverage for them while they rest, coverage for us while they are away would be appreciated!
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