Devotion 288, passion

I walked slowly through the gorgeous room.  I admired the nosegays on each table.  Light poured into each window, the scene was lovely. 

I kept my glance forward,  I typically do. 

Rarely do I stop and smell nosegays or roses.  I find myself almost always in motion.  When I read scripture about resting I promise the Father I will do it, literally on the way to something else, hence not really resting at all. 

I was moving in the direction of the ladies room not exactly sure where it was. I entered into the beautiful foyer and heard voices.  I slowed my steps curious as to when my daughter had slipped out of the bridal shower we were attending and into this exquisite room.  

I stopped to spy; mothers are allowed.  There she was with two dear friends.  The three little girls sat in overstuffed leather chairs playing roles of some fictional characters.  I traveled back as if transported to a Jane Austen novel where ladies whiled away a Sunday afternoon with folly, fashion and imagination.  My presence unfortunately was quickly discovered and the dream world that I for a moment enjoyed simply faded away. I encouraged the girls to rejoin the bridal festivities and I prompted them to try and relive the fantasy moment they had just enjoyed, harboring some guilt I had stole it away. 

I am learning ever so slowly that moments rarely ever repeat themselves and passion for anything rarely is found.  These girls were passionate about their play; I wanted to taste that fruit.

I am also learning, ever so slowly, that my daughter is modeling much after me.  She looks forward and sometimes she looks back but rarely is she all in the moment, with passion.  I have decided she and I will work on this.  We would start with a fantasy evening of dinner, fashion and role playing.  The passion had begun.

A few days later, the two of us shopped for dinner for her guests, she made a schedule, yes, she gets that from me too, and she watched the clock until her honored guests arrived.  Her eyes danced with excitement. 

I watched as one girl then another walked confidently out of our powder room dressed as some fictional character.  There was the girl from the 50’s soda fountain, the bride, the ballerina and the bridesmaids.  Lily’s baby sister Ava also made an appearance as a fictional flower girl.  I sat admiring, taking pictures and wishing every moment was like this, that every minute was not just joyful, more importantly that every moment was filled with passion.    

Scripture tells us we are to hunger for righteousness and thirst for God.   We are to be people of passion.

I remember as a child learning about Jesus, surrendering my life to Him.  I remember rededicating my life as a lonely college student on the streets of Paris.  I was all in.  My passion was ignited.  My spirit with His was united.  Yet my flesh then and now struggles.  My flesh seems to struggle to catch up, caught up in the things of this world or worse the priority of the day that is anything but passion for His will.

I have met those rare people that do this, that acknowledge Him in every waking moment of their life.  There is a countenance about them.  There is a peace that radiates from their very eyes.  I am seeking those moments and praying I can make them minutes and hours and days and weeks.

I want to wake with Jesus on my mind and to sleep with Him in my dreams.   I want my passionate love for Him and His extraordinary love for me to bring joy to every moment no matter what sorrow life circumstances may bring. 

I applaud my children and their passion for fashion, books and dollies, but I want them to see passion for their Jesus in me. I am passionate about their earthly father;  I want them to see a passion for their heavenly Father as well.

It is that passion - that indescribable love which will calm the storms of life and steady them as they venture into an uncertain world.

Waves of less passionate people will cross their paths; the enemy will stand ready at every turn; I must work to cultivate their heavenly passion, to encourage, protect and cherish it and then ultimately let it wildly blossom on its own.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."   Matthew 5:6