My step son gave his mom a rose for Valentine’s Day.  It sits in this stem holder with a balloon over it in the shape of a heart.  As I sit here and admire the rose, I recall how it looked a week ago and how colorful it was.  A week later it is still pretty standing tall.  It’s faded and worn a bit now but still safely inside the balloon bringing beauty as the center piece to the table.

As I look at this rose I’m recalling my life following Jesus.  I’m thinking about all of the great things God has allowed me to do in His name.  I recall how fresh I was as a new energized follower of Christ.  In this same moment I’m also recalling all of the loneliness I’ve experienced in the midst of doing His work. 

Even now with my insatiable desire to live for Him and serve Him in all I do – I find myself still feeling a little lonely.  Not sure why… I just do.  Kind of lost looking for a place to be and to belong in the midst of His kingdom… a place to serve him. 

I listed the lyrics to a song I wish I could have written myself.  While satisfying my hunger at lunch today this song came to mind.  It’s called “Desert Rose” by Whiteheart.  

Desert Rose

Lost in a windswept land in a world of shifting sand  A fragile flower stands apart and there in that barren ground You feel like you are the only one trying to serve Him with all your heart and you wonder, wonder can you last much longer this cloud you are under will it cover you

Desert rose, desert rose don’t you worry, don’t be lonely heaven knows, heaven knows in a dry and weary land a flower grows His desert rose

Sometimes holiness can seem like emptiness when you feel the whole world’s laughing eyes but it’s a lovely day know you’re on the Father’s way  He will hear you when you cry and He will hold you, hold you your Father will hold you  He will love you love you for the things you do

I love to eat.  My kids are starting to laugh at my insatiable desire for food.  I even clean their plates… thus the name human garbage disposal.  They point it out by reminding me of my ever expanding waist.  (Those who know me may even laugh at that… I do).

I was so hungry today I left for lunch early.  Resisting the overwhelming temptation to go to Ross’ Diner I headed home to see what leftovers I could dive into.

As I eat, I am thinking about my own spiritual hunger these days.  It’s like I can’t get enough to fill the hunger.  Glad I’m not one that can’t feed himself.  I’d be in some serious trouble!  Glad that I had several people in my life as a young Christian that taught me how to feed myself.

If I’m not careful my spiritual waistline may start to expand too.  Don’t want that to happen either.  I ask myself now… What does God want me to do with all this spiritual hunger?  Who is it that I need to be pouring my life into?  Is it one other person? A group of people?  I have this great desire… just not sure what to do with it.

Until I know, I will sit at the Master’s table and eat.  I will get my daily exercise as I go.  Being flexible to what He desires.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV).

I like how The Message reads, “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.  He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.”