(An imaginary conversation between God and me)
ME:
O God, each time I come across a scripture that affirms Your delight in me, my heart responds with amazement. I fall far short of the excellence I’d like to present to You—even after all these years as Your child. How is it possible You could still delight in me?
GOD:
Think about this: How do others know that you take delight in your children and grandchildren? You spend time with them, correct? You listen to them, praise their efforts, and encourage them. You give them gifts. You forgive them.
I do all these things for you and more, proving my delight through my actions. When you see Me clearly—my faithfulness, goodness, and love in action for you—you’ll see yourself more clearly–one who is cherished and brings me pleasure.
Keep reminding yourself, you don’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. [1]
Just this morning you took great delight at the get-together of moms at church. In fact, you smiled from ear to ear and laughed for joy over children you didn’t even know:
- the baby who waved with gusto at everyone who passed by
- the little boy who wanted you to play catch with him
- the three-year-old conversationalist who explained how hourglass egg-timers work
Granted, not one of these little ones is perfect, but each is perfectly wonderful—and so is every other child of Mine, including you.
I also take great pleasure in watching My children grow, just as you’ve delighted in the development of your children and grandchildren—even your students when you taught school.
ME:
It’s true—each milestone is celebrated with joy, especially those that required effort. It stands to reason that each marker of our spiritual growth makes You smile with joy—markers that include: establishing a quiet time (because You desire relationship with us), learning to be patient and self-controlled as well as manifesting the other fruit of the Spirit, practicing Your presence throughout the day, and turning to You in faith for the strength, guidance, and help we need.[2]
GOD:
Absolutely! I also delight to see:
- The development and use of the talents I’ve given you, just as you celebrate the growing abilities of the children around you.
- The joy you experience in the company of family or friends, just as you enjoy watching children play happily together. Their pleasure becomes your pleasure; the same is true for Me.
- The expression of gratitude for My blessings and favors, just as gratitude from your children warms your hearts and makes you smile.
- The perseverance to develop spiritual maturity, just as you’ve taken joy in the skills mastered by your children, grandchildren, and students through the years.
Many think of Me as far removed, gloomy and mightily displeased with everything. And while it’s true that I hate sin, because of My Son, Jesus Christ, all believing souls are objects of My delight.[3]
Take that to heart, precious child.
ME:
I pray, Heavenly Father, that my choices going forward might bring You increasing delight. And may I rest contentedly, even joyfully, in the pleasure You already take in me.
[1] ______, Values for Life, Walnut Grove Press, 2004, 131).
[2] Revelation 3:20; Galatians 5:22-23; Psalm 16:11; Hebrews 11:6
[3] A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, Harper & Brothers, 1961, 107-108.
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From the Inside Out 
All I can say, Nancy, is “Amen!” Our Father does delight in us and that thought gives me such joy and peace and love.
Blessings!
And that gives me delight, Martha–to provide for you a word of joy, peace, and love!
I agree, Martha: to know that Almighty God–the One praised by angels–takes pleasure in US does cause joy and peace to fill our hearts as well as increase our love for Him. Uplifting thoughts to keep in mind!
I don’t ponder enough the fact that God delights in the normal and daily ways that I acknowledge Him, and thus bring Him delight. What you have said here really encourages me, Nancy. Thank you!
Praise God this post encouraged you, Patty! That warms my heart.
Nancy, just to know that our Father delights in us brings me great comfort this morning! Thank you for sharing, dear one.
You’re most welcome, Pam. How delightful for me that God used this post to bring comfort to you!
Wow, Nancy, how timely this is! To be reminded of His unending grace, joy, and delight in us is necessary and yet so hard to fully embrace. I’m so aware of my sin; I want to be more aware of His goodness. Thanks for this!
You’re welcome, Dayle. We’ll practice affirming these truths together!
This was such a wonderful post!!! It brings to mind that all the little things we do matter to God. It is not just about the big moments, but about our day to day life. We cherish all the seemingly ordinary moments with our children, which are not ‘ordinary’ at all. Through the eyes of love, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. How much more so for our Heavenly Father when He gazes upon His children! Thank you for this awesome post!
SO well said, Linda! Thank you for adding your observation. I love this: “Through the eyes of love, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.” I think of those moments when our hearts fill with love as we hug our children/grandchildren, laugh together, or curl up with a good book together. I imagine God delights in similar experiences with us as we express our adoration, enjoy his presence, and curl up with his Word together. Extraordinary moments indeed.
Love this “dialog” prayer. great insights
Thank you, Jean!
It is indeed very comforting to know that God finds delight in His children. I hadn’t thought of it quite this way before; that He thinks of us the same way that we think of our own children. I am in awe of His boundless love and patience (let alone delight!) for one as unworthy as me.
That’s the incredible beauty of his love: as unworthy as we might feel, God found us worthy. Not because of anything we could ever do to earn his love, but because of his own perfections of grace and mercy. He sent His only Son to die in our place. Such a glorious reality, beyond comprehension!
Nancy, hi! your dialogue with the Lord is so delightful and personal … this post reminds me so much of Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling series. love it!
Thank you, Linda. I’m so glad you found delight here! Sarah Young is one of the people who inspired me to record my own impressions. At the close of the introduction in Jesus Calling, she invites her readers to “keep a journal to record any thoughts or impressions you receive in His Presence” (p. xiii). This post is the result of one of those efforts!
I get to see my three granddaughters this week, and your “conversation” gives those interactions a wholly deeper meaning. Praise God for the innocence and joy of children!
And may our grandkids catch a glimpse of God’s delight in them, through their interactions with us!
Very encouraging piece, Nancy, thank you for sharing.❤️ I’m reminded we are responsible for glorifying Him in all we do!
A good reminder, Alicia. May we grow to the place where glorifying Him is a delight to US!