Shopping at the grocery store when you are hunger is never a good idea. And especially as a hungry pregnant momma. Spotting the discounted donuts I could not resist this time. Placing them in the cart I was eager to get home and eat one. I was also looking forward to sharing this special treat with my daughter. 

Something she has never tasted before…a blueberry glazed donut. Mmmm! I pictured in my mind how she would respond. How she would jump up and down with excitement and enjoyment. How this would be something to make this day extra special. 

Arriving home, we unloaded the grocery bags, fixed lunch and sat down to eat. After she had finished her yogurt I pulled out the treats. Breaking the donut in half I gave it to her. She smiled but upon bringing it to her mouth the atmosphere changed rapidly. She dropped it and declared, “NO!” Turning her head to the side I asked, “you don’t even want to try this special treat mommy bought?”

No words escaped her lips yet I could see the answer was a definite no. I was a little disappointed. Not what I pictured at all. 

As I shared this story with my husband later we laughed. How often do we do the same thing to God? How often has He put something in front of us that He wants us to enjoy and we turn our heads in disgust? 

We view the donut before us as yucky. As something, we don’t like before even trying it. Before even accepting that God knows what is best for us. (No, I am not saying the donut was the “best thing” for my daughter.) What I am saying is that God has things for us to enjoy. Every day God wants to see us smile, laugh. He wants us to enjoy His presence, His gifts. 

It’s like the rain outside today. At first thought, I think it is yucky. It makes me feel down, draggy. However, when I took a second glance out the window I saw something completely different. The white flowers on the Dogwood tree are brilliantly beautiful against the damp leaves and grey skies. The flowers are shining gloriously in the darkened day. The flowers that I rarely see on a sunny day are leaving a precious impression on my heart today. 

Flowers, God’s creation. A gift for me to enjoy today. 

What does God want you to see, to enjoy today? Are there any “sweet treats” before you? Are you accepting or turning your head, wrinkling your nose? 

God cares about you so much He wants to bring a smile to your face. 

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. NLT

Psalm 18:30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. ESV

Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. NIV

Luke 12:7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. NLT