It's not about what God isn't giving us!

Man how many times have I been guilty of what John E. talks about today. Those moments where I am really asking God hard for something or for coming through in a big way only to not have that prayer answered. I sure get disappointed in those moments and wonder if God really does still speak. I wonder however, how many times in these moments that God is actually giving us something else that is beautiful only we can't see it because we are so locked into what we don't have. Man John E. hit me right between the eyes. It's not about what I want or what I think will be best for my desires but it is about what God is actually doing in me and around me. There lies the rel treats of life. The beautiful moments He is creating just for me. John E. shares a story where he is hoping for an Antler shed from an Elk on one of his hikes. He becomes disappointed when he doesn't find one. He thought for sure god was going to answer this prayer. However, in the middle of these frustrating feelings god gives him a hawk. A beautiful display of majestic flight right before his eyes. What a gift! Now how many of us would have missed that if we were in his shoes...would have kept sulking while god is doing something else amazing right in front of us...and missed the hawk?

As you may know I am on day 2 of my project of joy. What a great day it was. I had plans set forth in my heart that didn't come out exactly as I was hoping for or praying for. However, God came through in a bigger way than I could have ever dreamed. It was something as simple this morning as trying to decide whether to go to the grocery before the Craft Circle or after. As we were approaching the store Erin suggested that we go first and get it over with. I wanted to go on to the Craft Circle and start our adventure and stop to get groceries later. However as we got closer I heard "go to the store". So we went to the grocery and started out a little later than I had planned.

Now in the craft circle is a soda fountain we try to hit whenever we come to Gatlinburg. Long story short we wound up making it to Glades Soda Fountain just as it opened. Had we not gone to the grocery store first we would have gotten to the soda shop well before it opened and would have missed it. The entire family order an assortment of ice cream floats while he actually mixed up the soda in front of us. It's one of those old fashion soda fountain deals. He actually made my Cherry vanilla Coke before he added the vanilla ice cream. WOW what a treat! The family had a blast. the kids all order Black Cows. (Chocolate ice cream with home made Root beer poured over it). At the end our entire family including my mom and dad gathered inside the shop on the bar stools and the man working there took our picture. I was a moment I will not forget. A memory I will always take with me. A great family moment and oh yeah...awesome ice cream floats. God provided a great moment of joy there! If we had followed my plan we would have missed this. But God had something more beautiful for us.

The second moment of unmistakable joy was later this evening when Erin and I got to go out without the kids. That's automatic joy right there, a break. Basically we held off on dinner until later and went shopping first. It started to get late so we went and got some good barbecue. Now that was joyful also but not the moment I am referring to. It happened on our way back tot he Chalet after our meal. We drove by Krispy Kreme donuts. Now if you have ever bee to one of these places you what it means when they have there neon red sing on that says, NOW BAKING. It means when you order your donuts they come right out of the oven. I have never ever made it to one of these when the light was on. Now was our chance. Erin and I went in we got our donuts and left. In the car we dove in and had the most mouthwatering experience of our lives. Pure joy! Thanks Lord. What makes this amazing is when we passed Krispy Kreme the first time the light was not on. By going to the outlet mall first and eating on the way home which seemed to be God's idea and not mine he gave us something unexpected and beautiful, warm Krispy Kreme donuts. Thanks Lord. It has been a wonderful beautiful joyful day. God you are so good in so many simple ways.

I pray that you move beyond the disappointments of life and see and experience the simple and beautiful things God has waiting for you. I pray you have your soda fountain moment. I pray you have your Krispy Kreme moment. May God richly bless you.
Walking Together,
Your Dreaming Pastor