A Couple Dozen Snails

The Lord takes delight in his people. Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. // Psalm 149:4a, 3

Coming home from work one Friday afternoon, saddled with bags and the week’s exhaustion, I came upon my kids running towards me with–snails.

My immediate internal reaction was EW, but four little voices fought over one another to tell me about the treasure trove of snails they discovered in the courtyard.

“We discovered ‘Snail-topia!’” one exclaimed. Another wanted me to pet his new friend. (I politely declined.) But they eagerly described their escapades in snail hunting and coming upon a tree covered in them. With them tugging at my arms, I dropped my stuff on the grass and was led to the special tree and shown all the magic of “Snail-topia.”

The day’s hardships were forgotten as my children lifted leaves, talked about snail babies, and marveled at the snail poop (!!!) on their hands. Their eyes were sparkling with joy and wonder. And I, in turn, delighted in them.

Their unbridled interest and fascination was completely mesmerizing to me.

If I can be so enamored by “Snail-topia” and the joy of my children, how much more so is our Lord delighted by us? I can picture Him watching us while we enjoy our hobbies or interests, while we master a new skill, while we bask in our own loved ones. Nothing is trivial or uninteresting for Him.

He delights in you.

Sister, I invite you to take joy in something today. Let your Heavenly Father gaze upon your smiling face. Pick up an old hobby again. Dance in the kitchen. Start that book you’ve been meaning to read. Bake cookies and eat them while they’re still warm from the oven. Roll in the grass. Play that dusty instrument again. Roll the windows down and sing from the top of your lungs on your commute home. Praise His name.