Friday, April 8, 2011

Basking

I love words.

Here is one I like very much.

Bask

It means:

1. to lie in or be exposed to a pleasant warmth

2. to enjoy a pleasant situation

enjoy, relish, savor, savour
 
Have you ever had a really good experience and even after it was over, you still find yourself smiling? You feel as if  a cloud of goodness surrounds you and in that moment all is right within you even if it is not without?

Despite a particularly difficult week (or difficult year, for that matter), I find myself feeling this way, tonight. I left work this afternoon emotionally and physically drained. I went to pick up the older children. It took a bit longer than expected. I found myself being short and irritable. We traveled to Papa's to get Dinah, and played for a bit. Amelia and Tess decided that they wanted to spend the night with him, so Ty and Dinah were my companions home to freshen up before I went to church for a Women's Ministry event.

On the way to our house, I had to convince myself I really wanted to go out at all. My shoulders sagged and my eyelids were heavy, and a desire to put on some jammies and crawl into bed. I bought my ticket for the Women's event earlier in the week for just this scenario. How many times do I just stay home because I am tired. I knew I would miss a blessing if I stayed home and I was determined not to let my fatigue get in the way of that. I had bought my ticket. I was going.

The authors of A Cord of Three Strands were sharing their testimony. I have not yet read the book, but know many who have. Over and over, I have heard each woman say the same thing. They couldn't put it down until they were done. They cried and cried. They were blessed and blessed again.
I'm so glad I went despite my longing for bed. I got to spend time with friends I don't see very often. I ate good food. I was pleased to see all the women and a few men who wanted to hear more of this amazing story. I was moved to tears as I listened to a story of God's love, mercy, grace, and restoration. In their words, "Longing, Leaving and Living". I cried out to God for my loved ones to experience all those things. I worshipped our Lord.

I left with a little more spring in my step than before. I feel peaceful. And despite my smudged face (Ty let me know that my mascara was running just as we walked in the door at home), I felt beautiful, basking in His glow.

I hope you get a chance to read A Cord of Three Strands. (I've got my copy.) I pray you experience the love and forgiveness that God offers. I hope you bask in the the warmth of His love, and savour time spent in His presence so much that you never want to walk without Him again.

Glowing,
Anna