God: Not good.
Me: I think you said “Not good,” but I never know if it’s you or if it’s me so… what about wine only on date night?
God: No.
Me: What about a bottle of wine for every five pounds I lose?
God: Stop it.
Me: I think you said no, but what about if I just go get a bottle of wine and drink it right now?
God:…
Me: Okay. Cool! I’m going to do it.
This is a real “conversation” I’ve had with God more than once. (Not like I hear his voice in my ear… it’s like an impression I have when I ask him a question.)
Here’s the thing – I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wine. I obviously love it. I have friends who drink socially and elegantly with dinner and leave some in their glass. I have never left wine in a glass. I am someone who can polish off an entire bottle of wine by myself with a whole bag of cheese puffs before lunchtime. It’s a whole different deal.
I’ve prayed, “God, can you make it so I can drink and not get carried away?” It hasn’t happened so far. For me, the best path is no wine at all. Rats. That’s the worst. How can I love this answer?
One of my favorite things to do is hike the trails near our house. They are wild. This is my peaceful place away from noise. Our dog Buttercup weaves in and out chasing the scent of things. I can see water and mountains through frames of green. There are eagles and owls perched in the branches some days. I smell the salt of the ocean and crushed leaves and pine.
Sometimes I run. I feel my feet hitting the path and my muscles working and the aliveness of it all. The feeling is so joyful and free. I always wonder who made these paths. So grateful. If they hadn’t cut through the brush I’d never get a chance to feel like this. To see this. To live this.
Psalm 119:32 says, “I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free.”
The Path. Of His commands. What? When God tells me what is for me and not for me, He’s cutting the path. There is great delight and life in obedience. I’m still learning to love this.
All I know is when I get to enjoy the view, I need to celebrate the One who made it possible.
Toasting Him.
Not with a bottle or a glass, but with my heart.
