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Sunday, June 15, 2008

Honey Baked Delight

HONEY BAKED DELIGHT


A few years back my husband’s company was empty of business. As we waited on new clients, we scrimped every penny. We didn’t know when the next check would come in. Feeding five children and keeping a roof over our heads felt like an ominous task during this time. It was another opportunity to see Papa show up.


Have you ever had those moments when you remember something you ate years before with fondness? The remembrance is so strong that you can almost taste it. I hadn’t thought of the honey baked turkey since the couple brought it to us when Samuel was born, years before. But one day in the midst of the financial famine, it was fresh on my mind. So fresh I could taste it. If I could just buy one of those turkeys.....


The calculator in my brain started adding up bills. Maybe I would find some leftover change. After all we could eat it for a several days. Though the longing was calling out to me, I just couldn’t reason the twenty-five dollar expense. It was too costly. So after much deliberation, I gave up my desire. I didn’t tell anyone about it, not even God. I just let it go.


A day or two later a friend called to invite me to lunch. Would it be OK if she brought her teenage children to baby-sit mine. How fast could I say yes?

After all, life had been pretty hard. Five children 10 and under, and a husband’s business failing was taking it’s toll on us all.


She showed up with her teenagers and home made cookie dough. Her children wanted to treat my kids while she treated me. As we drove down the road she mentioned that she had left dinner in the refrigerator for me.

Could the day get any better?


We enjoyed a leisurely lunch where she listened to my heart allowing me to reveal my weariness. She understood. Her husband had been in medical school for years, working odd jobs, to keep their family of 6 afloat. Having the opportunity to talk to someone who understood lifted my heart.


Time passes too quickly in those getaway moments. Before you knew it lunch was over and we were headed back home to my reality of small children and tight finances. She gathered up her teens, gave me a lasting hug and headed out the door. I headed to the refrigerator to see what we were having for dinner. As I opened the door, there it stood. You know what it was, don’t you? A honey baked turkey.


I had no words, only tears. How did she know that just days before I had longed for just one piece? She didn’t know, Papa did. He lavished His love on me in a way that rocked my world. It was a moment that is still ripe in my mind, now ten years later. I savored every bite, delighting in the revelation of how intimately I was loved.


I didn’t ask Papa for a honey baked turkey. I didn’t pray an eloquent prayer. I didn’t even verbalize my desire. I just longed for it. I didn’t even have to ask. He saw. Papa God had seen the longing of my heart and He had provision already in the working before the desire was even birthed in me. He saw, He knew....He loved. I saw God’s love in a tangible way that day. It changed me for all eternity. I am intimately and deeply loved by my Papa. He bought me a honey baked turkey.


Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4


What gift has Papa God given to you that speaks to you of His love?


Do you see how much He longs to love you in tangible ways?


Papa, thank you for your beautiful gift to me 10 years ago. I can still remember as though it were yesterday. Thank you that you care so deeply even for the simple things that matter to us. Thank you that you long to give us the desires of our heart. Thank you for your deep, intimate love.


You can visit Julie at her blog:


Jewelz Sightings

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8 Comments:

Blogger Amico Dio said...

Julie,

I read this and nearly cried. Papa is the same way with me. Many times I brushed aside the things I longed for only to be blessed with them later. He is good. He is amazing. He loves me! :o)

Thanks for the awesome post!

June 15, 2008 at 1:41 PM  
Blogger Carol said...

I love stories like these! God is so good!!

June 15, 2008 at 8:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Julie,

What an awesome testimony of God's goodness! Stories like this are what make me embrace living on the edge with the Lord. It is when we are out on the edge, in great need that we see His goodness the most. HE IS SO AMAZING!

Thanks so much for sharing such an uplifting story!

Love you,
Amy

June 15, 2008 at 9:32 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

Thanks for sharing, so lovely.

June 15, 2008 at 11:38 PM  
Blogger windycindy said...

Your post gave me chills. Thank you for these reminders and the feelings that stirred in me. God bless! Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

June 15, 2008 at 11:46 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

What a precious precious story, Julie. Papa is so good to us, isn't He? I'm so glad you got to enjoy your honey baked turkey...
It's a busy week so I won't be online much, but I'll keep you posted, my friend!
luv,
laura

June 16, 2008 at 4:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK, this is the 3rd time I've read this and it still stirs emotions in me.

How amazing is His love!? What a personal gift that was - nothing generic about it. It wasn't for ANYONE else but the one individual that He was thinking about that day. Amazing!

June 17, 2008 at 9:10 AM  
Blogger Marsha said...

I love this post, Julie!

I'm with you on the longings. I've been longing to get a way alone with hubby again and just have some peace, no agenda. No appointments. I didn't pray about it, it was just a longing like you said. Well this morning (Thursday), a friend of our ministry called hubby and gave a a 2 night package at a beautiful B & B for Friday and Saturday night! I'll actually be in your neck of the woods.

June 19, 2008 at 10:04 PM  

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