Sunday Afternoon Tea

Have you ever wondered what a perfect day would look like?  I was pondering that yesterday while thinking of what I would like to be doing.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful to be making a slow recovery from the winter's seemingly endless illnesses but one does still get frustrated at limitations.  In this case, the limitations brought on by fatigue and money and distance.

I would have loved to be outside doing a little more lawn work as well as taking a hoe to the raised bed garden.  I wanted to drive to our favorite nursery and purchase lots and lots and lots of flowers, plants, and starts of veggies.  I'd even have enjoyed to go to the mall and shop for a new pair of sandals and perhaps sheets for my bed... and I never want to go to the mall unless I get dropped off at Border's.

I wanted to have coffee with my daughter and visit the cute antique shops in the town where she lives.  Then have dinner at her place and enjoy watching grandchildren at play.  I wanted to go with her family to their church with the really nice people who always welcome me with open arms and tell me I am "just like my daughter".

That's the way the human mind can work, you know.  We look past all that is good and we long for what we don't have at times.  That's a delicious hamburger but how long has it been since we had steak?  We love our children but why can't they behave like our friend's precious mild mannered kids?  Our car runs great but we find ourselves eying that red jobbie as we drive by the new car lot.  Little bits of coveting here and there... longing for that which is beyond our grasp.

All of this being jumbled up in my mind as I asked Him for forgiveness and thanked Him for all that has been given, so much to be thankful for in this life.  We're just passing through and it isn't Heaven, yet.  That longing is for a Place still to come, the real Home for which we long.  We were created in a garden and we long for Eden.  We must learn to curb unmet expectations for they will always be with us as we walk this planet... having longings instead of a thankful heart.

It made me wonder what would be a perfect day given unlimited health and money, when distance is no object and anything is possible.  It would include beautiful weather and gardens and perhaps a picnic table next to a clear lake... family all around... those gone and those living far away... people... fellowshipping around a table in the midst of beauty.

Is that God's perfect day?  As He watches us act out our imperfections and wonders how humanity can make such bad decisions.  Does He ever want to look the other way when we choose sin instead of Him?  Does it warm His heart when we say Thank You and cause Him to smile as a child says evening prayers?  What is God's perfect day? 

That which is to come when once again the morning stars sing their praise and the trees clap their hands... and His people are all together at the table... the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  The day our hearts all come Home.