Extraordinary Moments

In a recent conversation I was asked, “What was the best day of your life?”

I pondered for a moment and realized I don’t have just one best day—there

are three extraordinary days that have marked me.

The first was my wedding day. One of the clearest memories was meeting

together before our pictures to be alone and enjoy our first glimpse of one

another. My beloved gazed at me and then closed his tear filled eyes, and

said, “Thank You, Father”. Deep gratitude overwhelmed me for my godly,

handsome man, for whom I had prayed for years. So much sweetness and

delight filled this moment.

The second and third were the days when we welcomed our son and

daughter into this world. The glorious gift of their arrival, beholding each of

them, just gazing and feeling the weight of their vulnerable, precious bodies

in our arms. There weren’t words. Just wonder.

These experiences were extraordinary, marked by incredible joy and delight.

I will never forget them. I believe that in our core we’ve been created to

enjoy the essence of this kind of life-giving sacred awe. To experience being

cherished and in turn cherishing, to feel love, to encounter delight, and the

joy of being welcomed, accepted and received.

Receiving and giving like this is where we thrive. We thrive there because

we were begotten from there. God Himself is an intimate community of

deep love and delight. Because we are created in the image of the Trinity,

profound, healthy relationships bring us life. We were made for connection.

When there are broken relationships, we despair.

It is valuable to invest in horizontal healing and connection in our

relationships with others and pursue healing in ourselves. To work towards

having extraordinary moments that build a history and a foundation for

health. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. As it says in Romans

12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with

everyone.” Sometimes others are not on board, and we don’t experience the

fellowship, communion and intimacy that we desire.

The great news is that we can experience the reality of the intimate

community of love and delight that exists 24/7 in the Trinity—at any time, at

any place. We are always welcomed there, cherished, accepted and

delighted in.Building a history of extraordinary moments with Him has transformed my

life as well as improved my horizontal relationships. I have learned much

about love from Him. The more we receive His inexhaustible love, the more

full we become. Overflow is a natural outcome.

I’m blown away when I ponder the two predominant ways in which God has

revealed Himself. As a Bridegroom that delights over his bride. And as a

Father who lavishes love on His children. These aren’t just nice analogies,

they are the reality of the heart of God. He is a lovesick Bridegroom longing

for His wedding day, and a lavish Father who receives and loves us no

matter where we have been, or what we have done.

May we risk believing in His love and goodness and have choice moments

with Him, taking the time to engage and receive from Him. Let Him delight

in you and lavish you with His love. Go on a date with Him. Recall special

memories from your past and enjoy His presence in those recollections. Eat

breakfast with Him. Take a walk and wonder at the incredible ways He has

created this world. Draw or paint something with Him. Write a song

together. He is always available and delighted to create extraordinary

moments with you.

Cathy