It’s that season again, for many of us the crisp autumn air means that warm familiar taste of the infamous pumpkin spice latte. The feeling you get when that first sip hits your tongue can be intoxicating, filling your body with a warm pumpkin hug. I am guilty of indulging in the PSL craze just as much as the next person, but as I found myself yesterday in the drive thru once again only to be filled with disappointment as the barista glumly tells me, “we are out of pumpkin spice.” I started to make some hard realizations. My internal reaction was like that of my 11 month old unable to find her beloved Minnie Mouse doll. My day felt doomed and my heart felt empty.
It is crazy how much power things have over our lives. Our hearts are designed with a specific purpose, yet we try to fill it with all the wrong things. When you have a bad day what is it you reach for? Maybe it’s a glass of wine, a specialty coffee, buying a new top, scrolling through social media, eating your favorite food. We all have our special comforts. Those things are not bad, it’s the hope that we place in them to magically fix our bad mood or fill the holes of our broken heart that can become dangerous. When these bandaids feel better than the joy that comes from the Lord we have to take our holy pause and reevaluate. I’m right there with you sisters. This is so hard for me! After a long day of diapers and tantrums I so often fill that glass with some nice Cabernet and try to forget the day. God knows we as moms face these challenging days frequently, and that our need for help is urgent! “As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.” Psalm 40:17
I’m challenging the idea that next time I’m going to find solace in bringing my cares to God and letting his love fill me up. The more I let my heart be transformed by his love the less I put my hope in those fleeting things. Savor conversations with God like you would buying new clothes. Let the bread of life satisfy your soul like that slice of pizza. Surrender yourself in worship like you surrender your time to social media. Bad days can only feel satisfied by temporary things for so long, but God wants to lavish us with his love in those moments! It’s in him that we are sustained.
“May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” Psalm 40:16
