In the sixth grade,
I was in love with Darla.
Darla was the most beautiful girl
I had ever seen.
I sat in class and just stared
at the back of her head.
I loved her hair,
her eyes,
her face.
I loved Darla.
One day in physical education class,
we had to stay inside because of rain.
So we did what we always did
on rainy days: square dance.
I often fantasized about one day getting
to hold Darla’s hand when we square danced.
My dream came true!
By some miracle, or fate, or luck,
or perhaps the grace of God,
Darla and I were paired as partners.
The moment of ecstasy was soon to be mine.
When it came time to hold hands I felt faint,
took a deep breath and slowly
slipped my hand into her -
cold,
sweaty,
clammy
hand.
My heart sank.
My love for Darla died that day
because of clammy hands.
We all experience disappointments.
We don’t want to be disappointed.
We want to be impressed.
We seek to be impressed by tourist attractions,
by the latest gadget,
by fame or fortune.
But all earthly things we seek to “wow” us
will eventually disappoint
or lose their “wow” factor.
If you look below the surface
all people and things will disappoint.
All fall short of true glory.
True glory can’t be fulfilled until we come into
the presence of God.
Psalm 29 (NLT)
A psalm of David.
Give honor to the LORD, you angels;
give honor to the LORD for his glory and strength.
Give honor to the LORD for the glory of his name.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The LORD thunders over the mighty sea.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars;
the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf
and Mount Hermon to leap like a young bull.
The voice of the LORD strikes with lightning bolts.
The voice of the LORD makes the desert quake;
the LORD shakes the desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks
and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
The LORD rules over the floodwaters.
The LORD reigns as king forever.
The LORD gives his people strength.
The LORD blesses them with peace.
