Hepzibah

Delight me Lord is what I ask...often half-way believing He will show up to do something delightful or that I will be so distracted, I will miss it.  Know the feeling?  Hepzibah is just that...God's delight.  It's been awhile since I have led a Bible study so I praying that God will lead and guide me as I prepare to teach Beth Moore's study on John, The Beloved Disciple.

As I dug through my notes from years ago, I realized Hepzibah was part of that journey.  Immediately, my heart was rekindled.  I remembered the days driving kids to school, asking the Lord for a delight.  Almost a dare...even when my belief was a bit on the unbelief side, God did His part.  So I have chosen to stir the soil of hepzibah and see what happens.

Delight me, O Lord this day.  I was returning home from a student's receiving of friends for her father who had passed away this week.  It was a privilege to be part of this intimate family time and to be part of that inner circle of events.  I decided in between storms, I would run into a thrift shop in town.  I found myself singing the hymns that played over the speaker and I bought a few note cards.  Turned from the counter and I saw Jack. The ladies at the counter said, "Jack sit down there."

I was compelled to ask Jack if his seat was comfortable.  He responded with affirmation and asked me to join him by sitting in the small white chair next to him.  I did.  I sat back, soaked in the moment of quiet.  The store was closing, storms brewing.  I said, "Jack I am tired tonight; I don't have a lot to say."

He smiled and tipped his UT ball-cap my way and replied, "That's okay honey.  They could pull the shades and we would just go to sleep, resting in these nice chairs."  I smiled.   Leaned back and rested a moment.

Jack said, "I was an orphan years ago, put on the doorsteps of the Children's Services building, frozen eyelids and frozen legs.  I think I might be a miracle or the Lord would have let me freeze to death.  And here I am."

I slowly looked at Jack, eye to eye..."Jack you've helped me this day, to rest.  Even if for one minute, I stopped and listened.  You were my hepzibah.  Thank you."  He smiled, tipped hat and said, "You gave me company; thanks for that."

Our ways parted.  We probably won't cross paths again but I am thankful in my running to and fro, I sat in the used chairs, marked FOR SALE, and experienced hepzibah, a delight from Jesus.

Ask, this day, for Jesus to delight you.  Make sure if the urge hits you, run in the thrift store and sit for a spell.  Jesus is waiting.