I love to see the delight on the sweet little faces of my little girls. They find great pleasure in so many different things, and there is nothing that pleases this mommy’s heart more than being able to hear their joy-filled giggles and to see their eyes light up about something.

I also enjoy doing special things for our teenage daughters–repainting and decorating their rooms, providing horse riding lessons, and even surprising one of them with a puppy. (although I’m not much of an animal lover!) I am willing to make sacrifices for them. I truly DELIGHT in delighting them!

I’ve been challenged as I’ve asked myself what I delight in the most? Do I delight in my husband’s affirmation, my daughters’ happiness, the connections I have with friends, or anything else more than I delight in the Lord and in His word? In Psalms 1:2, a godly person is described in this way: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Do I delight in God’s word like I should, or does it have little priority in my life?

We all like the promise in Psalms 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart,” but most of us don’t truly know what it means to delight in the Lord. The definition of delight is: “to take great pleasure in.” This means that we think of them (or it) often. The objects of our delight are not merely something or someone we only think of occasionally. When we delight in the Lord, we desire to obey Him and His word rather than trying to explain away one of His commands. When we focus on God simply at church on Sundays, and don’t make an effort to daily obey His commands, are we actually delighting in Him?

Our daughter, Kyra, just turned four years old, and I was able to delight her with a little birthday party which contained a particularly special treasure. For the past year, she’s had a small, toy ladybug that has been very special to her. It was something she thought she had to sleep with every night. A month ago, we lost it, and in spite of all of our efforts, it was no where to be found. I even checked online to find another one like it and had no success at that either. She was extremely sad! Many times she would ask us if we found it yet and then would pray that God would help her to find it.

One day, as we were discussing her upcoming birthday, she empathically declared that she wanted a ladybug birthday cake. Of course, I envisioned how awesome it would be if I would be able to find her lost lady bug and surprise her by putting it on her cake. I desperately searched throughout our whole house! I looked under all the furniture, in each of our coat pockets, in all the toys, in drawers, and I even dug through the toys in our attic. I kept praying, “Dear God, please help me to find that ladybug!” Finally, after all of that, I gave up and said, “Okay, God, I guess I did everything that I could. If YOU want her to have that ladybug, it’s up to You!” 

A few hours later, I was sitting at a desk in our school room that I hardly ever sit at, and I needed a pen. I, absentmindedly, opened a desk drawer that we never use. (It’s a drawer where Austin kept his school books, etc.) In the corner, I noticed an unusual object–a hat for one of the little girl’s dolls. I picked it up and felt a small object inside. Yep, the precious ladybug! I contained my “whoops” and quietly marveled at my answer to prayer. It was a wonderful confirmation to realize that God also delights and cares about the little things that mean a lot to us and to our children. It was absolutely no coincidence that I sat at that desk and opened that drawer!

On Kyra’s birthday, we gave her the cake with the ladybug on top and then turned it around to show her the “baby” ladybug…her little treasure! She was all smiles and very happy! Since then, the little ladybug has brought many moments of joy to her and is guarded quite intently.

I wonder if we realize just how much God loves us and delights in us when we walk in obedience with Him? If He enjoys blessing us with “God moments” as in the story of the ladybug, how much more does He delight is us when we choose to trust Him during trials or hard times, acknowledge Him to others, and take a stand for what His word says?

My challenge for this week is that we would delight in God and in His word. I am focusing on making God’s word a higher priority in my life. I can honestly say that I enjoy reading my Bible, and I delight in spending time with God each morning. Instead of reading the Bible and then later just forgetting what I’ve read, I try to meditate on His word and think about it often throughout the day.

Since God is a God of love, He loves us whether we love Him in return or not. However, in Psalms 149:4, it says, “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.” For us, as God’s children , He not only loves us, but also takes great delight in us. How would I feel if my children were never appreciative of the special things I do for them? What if your children or others never seem to notice what you do for them? Is this a reflection of how God could feel towards you? I believe He will take greater pleasure in US when we learn to delight in HIM.

Will God be able to delight in you this week? Will He take great pleasure in you because He sees you honoring and fearing Him? Will your choices today cause your Creator, the Almighty Father, to sing for joy? What does your daily planner reveal about what you are delighting in?

~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” (Zeph. 3:17)