Bible balanced on boppy pillow, the verses come alive in a whole new way…

“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her,
    all you who love her;
…. For you will nurse and be satisfied
    at her comforting breasts;
you will drink deeply
    and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

Isaiah 66:10-13

For I am living a microcosm of this reality, these days,…with one tiny individual.

To have the power to turn a baby looking like this…

into a peaceful, satisfied baby like this….

is an empowering and life-giving thing.

I am a nursing mother

and

it is not a burden, but an honor,

not a drudgery but a privilege,

not a sacrifice, but a joy…

So,  I will rejoice with Jerusalem…and not only Jerusalem, but I will rejoice for myself, for my family, for my church and my community….

Why?

 Jerusalem was the place where God’s Presence dwelled in His people’s midst c. 1000 BC

God’s Spirit filled the Temple and lived among them during Solomon’s reign

then Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, came to live among the Jews 2,000 years ago.

And Now His Presence, His Holy Spirit, has come to live within us, His people being His temple right now in 2017,

thus satisfying us, comforting us, and delighting us with His abundance.

The wait is over. His Presence is here. His filling can happen.

Just as  milk does for my nursing child

How much more joy and privilege and honor God must experience as his people cry for Him, long for Him to satisfy them, and are comforted by Him, than I do as I satisfy one precious babe. He takes no joy in us enduring and drudging along trying to make it without Him, or simply performing for Him, just as I would take no joy in my tiny infant trying hard to “fast” in order to not need my milk or “be brave for mommy” by not crying out for what her little body requires.

God’s Presence is what we were designed to thrive in, and He does not begrudge imparting it. There is joy in the meeting of the need.

He is simply waiting for us to open wide our mouths, so He can fill them (Psalm 81:10)

Oh, how this truth informs my prayers, as many moments are spent “stuck” in a chair nursing this little one, when my mind wants to rush ahead with all that tasks to be done  by an active, moving body.

Oh, how this truth informs what requests I will lay before my Father, none being too small or too insignificant.

Oh, how this truth informs my relationship to God, seeing Him as not being burdened by my needs but delighting in meeting them.

Oh, how this truth informs my attitude in the unseen moments of my busy days, as I invite His Presence and live in reality that HE IS HERE and SEES whether anyone else does or not.

Oh, how this truth informs my habits, as I realize nothing in this world can satisfy and fill me like His sweet Presence that fills and empowers can.

you will drink deeply
    and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

Isaiah 66:13