Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the
desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4, NIV
Visiting downtown Chicago to celebrate 35 years,
my husband and I ambled back to the Metra, looking for sidewalk seating for a last dessert.
I particularly wanted something rich and chocolate. We’d already rejected
inadequate goodies at two coffee shops.
A few blocks from the station, with no open air chairs in
sight, I said, “Well, I don’t really need more food.”
“There’s a point,” Jerry agreed, squeezing my hand. “I don’t
either.”
“We’ve had a lovely day. The outdoor dinner across from the
Art Institute. Sitting in Millennium Park, watching the wedding parties getting pictures
taken in front of the polished metal sculpture.” I grasped Jerry’s waist, pulling him close.
“Don’t forget the sailboat parade at Navy Pier before the Mackinac
race,” Jerry added, as he hugged my shoulder.
Almost to the train, I glanced south. “That’s a restaurant!”
A hundred black metal chairs stood mostly empty, right along the Chicago River.
When the flourless chocolate cakes arrived, adorned with vanilla ice cream and
perfectly placed berries, I gasped at the purple orchid garnishes. Tears came to my eyes.
“This is wonderful. I really was satisfied with what God
had already given.”
The dendrobium blossoms are fading now, but the lesson is
fresh. On top of a wonderful day, it was not hard to give up the yearning for
more. The greater challenge is to be grateful for what we have when the day is
not so great. When we long for a gift God has not yet given. When we want a
different life. When we long for a fresh touch from God.
Oh, God. Make us grateful. Help us focus on you as we wait
for you to satisfy our desires.