The steady hum of the nightly news buzzes in the background. She tries to avoid the barrage of affliction oozing from the television attacking her sensibilities. She askes her sister to turn it off, and is rewarded with her own flavor of barrage. He sister thinks it’s her (and everyone’s) duty to be informed and doesn’t hold back the words that make the other feel like a pea with a looming foot above it. She agrees that the news is important but in small doses.

What we spend time on is what our minds become. I have been thinking about how to use my time more wisely and productively. It’s been amazing to see how much time I have when I’m not connected to Prime or Hulu, or passing the hours with merlot or chardonnay. Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for these things, but they have a way of (at least for me) becoming central to the day, the week, the year, the life. I am replacing some of the hours spent with those old friends with new friends like Benjamin Franklin and Pulitzer prize winner Frank McCourt (you may recognize that name from a movie called Angela’s Ashes, I recommend reading the book first). Sure, these are still somewhat escapist endeavors, but they are active engagement that affords growth in ways passive viewing cannot. In addition, I am getting to know the Christ more,“ and trying to understand things like, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

I’m trying it out. Delighting myself in the Lord. What does that mean? Well, I’m learning that it might mean finding Him to be enough, desiring Him more than other things. Since I have started finding and delighting in His great command to love Him and others above all else, I have found a peace that was illusive. I have found my wants and needs for things have shrunk, and I am much more satisfied with my life as it is. Wow! I could not have imagined how freeing this is. This Bible verse is not new to me, but the actuality of it is.

Have you tried delighting yourself in the God of the universe? How did you do it? What did you find? Was it hard to do?

I know where the road leads if I follow Him. The road leads to delights I can’t even begin to imagine. This is far more meaningful than the temporary treasures and entertainments with which this world revolves around today. I will continue moving closer to a delightful relationship with my God. I hope you will too.

“May grace and peace be your in abundance” (2 Peter 1:2).

Til the blessed ‘morrow!