A Divine Appetite

In a few short days, we in America will celebrate a wonderful holiday. The rich scent of turkey and stuffing in the oven, pies on the cooling rack, and a spice candle burning on the stove will usher in our sweet time of Thanksgiving. As we set our best table, play our best music, and put on our best spread, the sights, sounds, and scents of the season will fill up our homes.

Thanksgiving is a great time for families and friends to gather and enjoy one another's company. Even more so, Thanksgiving is a profound time to pause and give thanks for the ways God has been faithful to us as a nation, and more specifically to us as His children.

I am counting the days until my boys come home from college and we're all together again. I am excited to hear their latest tales of adventure and as much as I hate to admit it, I am even looking forward to seeing them wrestle around on the floor and turn the house upside down.

My mouth waters as I think of my sister's sweet potatoes or my Mom's stuffing. My brother-in-law makes the juciest turkey known to man and I will be bringing some delectable desserts.

And yet, while it is true that I look forward to this Thanksgiving with great anticipation, truer still is the Divine Hunger God has stirred within me this past year. More than anything, I hunger for more of Him.

I love how God moves in when we draw near. I love how He drops surprises in our path when we least expect them. I love how He loves the least-of-these and asks us to as well. I love how He whispers when the rest of the world screams. I love how He quickens the heart when a song resounds, or a bird sings, or a child laughs.

There's something about this Divine walk that stirs up the hunger.

When we know there's more, we want it.

I know there's far more to the character God than I could ever comprehend. I know He promises to be found by those who earnestly seek after Him. I know that He actually confides, confides, mind you, in those who walk with Him in a reverent way.

He cherishes our dreams and refuses to quench the smallest hopes. He remembers our prayers long after we forget them and He's constantly moving on our behalf. Every thought He has towards us is born out of deep love and affection.

He's been there for me and I love Him so.

I know Him more now, than I did last year. Much more, in fact.

And it's not enough for me.

My prayers of late have been, "I want more, Lord. And once You've given me more, increase my capacity for You, and then give me more again. I want to be so full of Your compassion and Your love, that when others encounter me...they encounter You."

Hunger is a good thing when it makes you turn to Him.

May this blessed Holiday Season stir up a renewed hunger and affection for the One who deeply loves you.

Comments

[Daryl Jackson]

Hi Friend,I can't agree with you more! I've been going through such a hard time for so very long.Just when I think I'm going to get a brake, something else happens that nearly flattens me.This morning, I found myself praising God for blessing me. It was almost like He was saying I'm so sorry you have to go through this hard thing, so here's a blessing for now, hang in there daughter.One of the things that's really helped me is to read Christian novels. It's real helped me to excape a little bit every day.

Well......I suddenly have this enormous hunger to learn more about Him. Enormous!I stopped right in the middle of a novel...a good one. I suddenly need to learn all I can learn. I'm reading books twice, because I don't want to miss a thing. I've never had a hunger like this before! Where did this come from???He put that hunger in me.He's absolutely up to something. I'd like to take credit, say that I'm obeying and learning, but I can't help it, I'm so hungry for it!He's such a good God! He gives us everything we need. He doesn't just tellus we should do something, he gives us the desire! We just have to pay attention,follow his lead.Thank you so much for your reminder today of what is really important!Love you sister!Daryl

[Karen]

Susie:I have to say it was like getting a double blessing for me today to read what you wrote and also what Daryl wrote too! I can feel the passion in both your hearts, it is such an inspiration to me!"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they WILL BE FULLY SATISFIED."I read these to my husband and he said; "Dark chocolate and coffee - can't have one without the other...I needed to hear both of these today!"Thank you Susie - And Daryl too!Have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving celebration!Love,Karen