Ahhh, That Was Good!

I just got off the phone with Archie.  He is the lead pastor at my former church.  Over the years he was a teammate in ministry and an informal mentor.  There is much about ministry and life that I have gained from him.  Today when I called him on the phone, I called as a friend.  We talked about ministry, about personal aches and pains, and even about ministry aches and pains.

After the phone call, I pushed back from my desk and reflected on the contented warm feeling I had.  It was the feeling you get after eating just enough at a great meal.  Not too much because then you become uncomfortable.  There is something great about having just enough.  It makes you push away from the table a bit, take in a big lung full of air, pat your belly, and exhale while saying "Ahhh, that was good!"

I like conversations like that where afterwards I say, "Ahhh, that was good!"  Mostly that is with good friends.  Many times I have them after an honest talk with God.    My problem is that I let guilt get in the way of the "ahhh".  My guilt arises when I think of how long it has been since I have been fully honest with God.  Or when I think how I am failing in so many other areas of my life.  And the "ahhh" begins to slip from my grasp.

The thought that brings it back is that my God loves to talk to me.  I don't understand it because I don't find my ability for conversation all that thrilling sometimes.  Actually, there are times where I think that I am just boring!  But my God loves to hear me call him up anyways and just say hi.  He answers before the phone rings!  And, he doesn't start yelling at me because it has been so long since our last conversation.  My God hears my voice and it is like no time has even passed since our last talk.

Then when I hang up, I am sure that he sits back and reflects that one of his children called.  A child that he cherishes and loves.  He smiles at the idea that we had an honest moment together and that I still like to hear his voice.  And I can just hear him exhale, pat his belly, and say, "Ahhh, that was good!"