Friday, February 25, 2011

Why I think God has dimples...

I like to think that God has dimples.


I don’t think I’m projecting… at least not in the way that I used to when I pictured our Jewish Savior as an American with long brown hair and hazel eyes. I mean, yes, I have dimples, but that’s not why I think God has them. I think God’s smile is broad, warm and engaging. I think his Son, Jesus, was the kind of man who won you over with just a look and a smile—not good looks and perfect teeth—He wasn’t really the GQ type, but there was something about him: warm divinity, disarming grace and authentic love—and I like to imagine that those traits were highlighted in his broad, dimpled grin.


Why else would men drop their nets and follow him?


Why else would broken women feel safe in his presence?


There was something beautiful about the look in his eyes and the smile on his face.


Like a grandfather who chuckles as his first grandchild toddles toward him...

Like a man in love watching his bride walk up the aisle...

Like a new mom, smile on her lips and tears in her eyes, gazing at her precious newborn...


I confess that I forget about God’s dimples sometimes. I forget to sink my feet into his love and imagine his smile. I forget that He loves me, gave everything for me and thinks of me with tenderness.


Life gets hard, loss creeps in and it gets easy to think about all the darkness that surrounds me. Even simple things, like cleaning up dog poo or balancing my checkbook or attempting (in vain) not to eat the chocolate hidden in the upper left hand corner of my kitchen cabinet… can distract me from his smile.


So I begin this blog.


A tribute to my loving Savior, my dimpled God. In these posts, Ill talk of things that are lovely, ordinary, pure, noble, hilarious, goofy and fun. I’ll dive in to stuff we all deal with, loving our kids to good things, losing a few pounds, interacting with family, dogs, cats and persistent telemarketers.


You get the idea.


And maybe, if God is being especially kind, I’ll dance into the profound.


But certainly don’t expect that too often.


One final thing. I’m doing this for selfish reasons. I need to sit in God’s goodness. I need to sense his love. I need to feel his smile. I need it like I need my next breath, for without it I’m afraid I’ll shrivel up into a bitter, old, frumpy ne’er do well.


There you have it. If you’re up for reading words like “frumpy” and “ne’er do well,” and if you don’t mind me writing a whole blog on faith stuff or single-cup coffee makers, sign up and let me know you’re here.


Because even though this is for me, I wouldn’t mind the company.

23 comments:

  1. Awesome Love, but don't tell anyone where we hide the chocolate!

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  2. I love it! LOVE LOVE LOVE! <3

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  3. Great job, Elsa! Looking forward to it!

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  4. count me in ...can't wait to sit in God's presence with you...

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  5. Your joy, and YOUR dimpled smile are both highly contagious!

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  6. Glad you are back to your goofy story writing! I missed them. Loved it!!

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  7. Glad that you jumped on the blog train! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

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  8. So THAT'S how you spell ne'er do well!

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  9. What a great post - can't wait to read more. And can't wait to hear you speak at the Shoreline Women's retreat in April!!! What a treat!

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  10. So very, very glad to have you back! I love your stories - they always bring my attention back to God's goodness.

    And I don't think you'll ever be "bitter, old and frumpy" - I've seen how you smile when your husband is mentioned. ;o)

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  11. So glad you are starting this again. Miss your stories and miss you. We like having your dimples in our lives!!!!

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  12. I've always loved your random email stories and forwarded them to friends so this is very exciting news! On a side note...I also love single serve coffee brewers. One request...can you add an RSS or atom feed so I can subscribe through my blog?

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  13. Beautiful post, Elsa! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of God's dimples. :-)

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  14. This post helped me realize that I think God must have dimples too!! I'm looking forward to "following" your blog. Your perspectives are always refreshing!

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  15. I have missed your writing Elsa and am so glad you're back. Can't wait to soak up all you have to offer :-)

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  16. You made MY dimples come out....and I don't even have dimples!!!!

    You crack me up! I definitely signed up to hear all about the ne'er do wells and their goings on...being one of them :)

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  17. I feel I was blessed to have been graced by your invite when I opened my email and to find an invite to your blog Elsa! Thank you so VERY much!

    It is a dark road I have been traveling but God always seems to find a way to show us a light or cast a word our way when we need it the most... we just have be willing to see and listen to what he is sending our way.

    Thank you again Elsa! I look forward to this blog journey too!

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  18. I look forward to the journey and know I will cherish these blogs even if you NEVER confess where you hide your chocolate (clearing throat and looking at Brian.)

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  19. Elsa you are such an inspiration. I look forward to the blogging days ahead! Blessings!

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  20. So very glad to be reading your thoughts again. Brings me closer to you and God.

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  21. What? You don't think Jesus was a metrosexual man of his time? Perfectly coiffed hair, pearly white teeth, custom fitted robe with designer sash? LOL, and Jimmy Choo sandals.

    Seriously, I'm happy to get a chance to understand your world, the good and the bad.

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  22. Look forward to your blogs. My husband and I have been facilitating DivorceCare for seven years. We began six months after we were married. You are such an inspiration!

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  23. Oh Elsa, you warm my heart and capture my attention as I love to hear you speak and read the words that you write...I'm excited to continue on this journey with you as you have taught me so much and I can't imagine what is brewing up inside of you-just waiting to come out through your fingertips...You are such a blessing to so many!

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