He-Said-She-Said, You Had Me At “Hello” | The Praise is His

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. – Hosea 6:6

Materialistic Monger. That’s what they called Tina. Her priorities for her love of Christ delved only as deep as the Victoria Secrets she wore. If God didn’t come in Calvin Klein, Agner, or in a storefront at Tiffany’s, Tina just didn’t get it.

I love nature. My best prayer times, the times I see God the clearest, are the moments I trail through a wooded path to a breathtaking view and the day I invited Tina to hike the Chimneys with our group, I never imagined what could happen.

The climb was steep and two-thirds of the way up the mountain, the trail veered away from the river. Tina spent her time complaining about the bugs, whining that her feet hurt and grumbling the heat was causing her curls to droop.

We stopped at an overlook to take in the view. Fingering with a daisy I’d plucked along the trail, I pulled it to my nose and sniffed in the sweet fragrance.

“I just love daisies,” I said. “To me, they’re a continual promise that God renews His world every spring.” Tina flicked the white flower. “You need to give me something like that to love. I wanna have a special thing to love. Something besides the smell of new leather.”

We’re blessed with much in this world. God’s love and promises seep from every crevice of the universe, but through all His amazing creativity, what He longs for is our acknowledgment of Him. Our love for Him. God delights in offering us mercy and peace. Hosea tried to help the people understand God preferred their relationship even over the sacrifices they might offer. Click to read the rest of this devotion.