October 4, 2006

Sometimes I like being the dad

Posted in family, spirituality at 12:47 am by jimazing

Yesterday was a treat for me. I got to do one of those really cool, fun dad things. My daughter, Melody had an interview for entry into the UNC Medical School! On the way down she practiced and I encouraged. On the way back, we just enjoyed one another’s company. Towards the end of the trip, we watched the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen. No joke, it must have lasted half an hour from start to dark. What a blessing.

While Melody was interviewing, I had a date with my creator. With no idea exactly where I was going, I found myself at Jordan Lake. It was as if I had a personal invitation and escort to this place (see the photo). Isn’t it beautiful?

I opened my Bible and felt drawn to the Psalms, but which one? Having a hard time being able to be completely serious at any given time, even holy moments… I thought to myself why not, 42. After all every Hitchikers Guide fan knows that 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything, right? As if God had to top my silliness, in verse 6 He says,

When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.

Remember where I was… “Jordan” lake.  Imagine jousting with the one who invented jousting. It was as if He was saying, “You think you are so clever.” I wondered if he arranged that whole thing (location and psalm) just for me.

From the beginning of the Psalm, I was totally blessed. I found myself praying the words as I read them…

I want to drink God,
deep draughts of God.
I’m thirsty for God-alive.

I know how thirsty I am after a good run. That dry cotton-mouthed feeling that tells me not so subtly, “Hey, you need a drink!” I want to recognize that feeling with God. I want to know how thirsty I am and meet him where he is. To connect with his heart and share mine with him.

These are the things I go over and over,
emptying out the pockets of my life.

Emptying my pockets before him! What a picture. I sat down and started writing what I was feeling and what I desired. One thing after another, I poured out my heart. I wrote about things I was angry about, sad about, happy about… emptying my pockets.

My life is God’s prayer.
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.

What an awesome God. After crying out to him, he puts a smile on my face and reminds me that he is my God.

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