[Wow...it's been over a year. Talk about a long sabbatical...]

So...the sermon this morning was pretty good. Actually...it was the children's sermon that got me (funny how that happens). My pastor had all the children fill their hands with as many little beans as they possibly could. Then once their hands were overflowing with beans, he pulled out a bowl of hershey kisses and told them they could each take one--yet they couldn't, because their hands were full of beans. They had to empty their hands of what they were holding on to in order to receive the gift that was so much better.

I think the parallel is obvious.  How often I cling to and hold onto my own desires, what I think I need or what I think will bring me joy. What am I keeping God from pouring into my hands, just because I refuse to let go of my own miniscule ideas of satisfaction or pleasure? No matter how many times God blows my mind, I can't seem to get it through my head that He not only knows what's best for me, but He WANTS what's best for me. 

By letting go of something, it doesn't mean that it'll go away. It just means that I am no longer clinging to it...and I am free to receive the good and perfect gifts from my Father.  Perhaps He does desire to give me that to which I had been clinging. But the point is He wants to give it to me in His timing and in His way...and perhaps He still needs to mold/prepare the gift a little more before it's ready. 

May I be intentional this season to LET GO of the things I cling so tightly to...empty my hands, rid my heart of distractions--so that I may be fully open and focused on receiving nothing less than Christ Himself and all the glorious fruit He brings with His Spirit.  May I not settle for the cheap pleasures that I try to concoct up for myself. May I find my utter joy and contentment in HIM alone!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come--let earth receive her King!
O come, let us adore Him....

Dear Lord, open my heart to receive You...teach me to adore You...