The Lord takes pleasure in His people. Psalm 149:4
The best marriage advice my husband and I received was ironically from a priest who advised us to “keep dating.” During our over 27 years of marriage we have chosen different types of dates but the commitment to reconnect and share has always been a constant. When our children were very young we had a neighborhood babysitter come over once a week and we would have dinner away from the chaos and distractions of our home. When we both worked outside the home, we started to have lunch dates together. I remember my in-laws asking my husband what he wanted for his birthday and Dave requesting that the grandparents would care for the children for a long weekend so he could spend time with me. These weekly dates and occasional longer trips were important, but daily compliments and words of affirmation, phone calls and soft touches each day were needed to ensure that our relationship continued to grow throughout each season and challenge of life.
In Chapter 8 entitled Planned for God’s Pleasure, Rick Warren describes that God created us to worship God and give Him pleasure. But God wants us to have pleasure too. He is such a loving God that He desires to have a real love relationship similar to the passion and commitment of a husband and wife with both me and you. Let me type this one more time as this mystery is beyond human understanding….the God of the Universe wants to spend time with you, enjoys being with you and knows that you will receive the same enjoyment from this as well.
The last line in Ch. 8 states:
This is what real worship is about- falling in love with Jesus.
So worship Him with others at church each week in music, the scriptures and in receiving the body and the blood. (date night) See if you can sign up for a day or weekend retreat or mission at your church.
But also seek to find little ways to worship and enjoy the Lord during each week day. For example: Stop when a beautiful sunrise catches your eyes as you’re running out the door to work; stand still in appreciation and thanksgiving with compliments “Wow. Isn’t that Beautiful Jesus! thank you for sharing this with me. You are such a creative God”
Isn’t it wonderful that we were created to be loved by God? Remember Day one and the phrase “you were created by God and for God”?
I encourage you to keep all your senses open to the many ways God is showing His love to you each day. An encouraging text or word from a friend, a verse that seems written just for you and your circumstance, a stunning nature scene etc.
Then return this love with the worship of Thanksgiving and adoration.
I begin each morning with writing the words ACTS in my journal vertically.
A stands for Adoration. God you are so_____(fill in the adjective)
C Stands for Contrition I am so sorry for ___________
T stands for Thanksgiving I write three things I am thankful for 1.____2.____3._____
S stands for supplication I write 10 people I am praying/ advocating for_
Following this framework helps me be less distracted and more focused in my prayer time. Notice that adoration is first. Give God the Glory He so deserves and by doing so all of your problems will grow small in the face of the beauty, power and goodness of God.
So as a wise man once told me:
Keep Dating.
