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.
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.
And no one wants to hang out with a frump ne’er do well.
So I’m believing and I’m imagining and I’m trusting that God has dimples – and I think you should do the same.
You make him smile. He loves you. He has good things for you. His dimples crater out when you come to him. Believe it, live it, look for it.
7 Responses
As soon as I published this blog, I heard from some wise counselors that WordPress would be better than Blogspot. I rolled it over before I received too many subscribers. Here are the comments I received on Blogspot…. thanks for your patience!
Brian Colopy said…
Awesome Love, but don’t tell anyone where we hide the chocolate!
February 25, 2011 11:17 AM
Samantha Lynch said…
I love it! LOVE LOVE LOVE! <3
February 25, 2011 11:23 AM
Cindy Franklin said…
Great job, Elsa! Looking forward to it!
February 25, 2011 11:53 AM
denise said…
count me in …can't wait to sit in God's presence with you…
February 25, 2011 12:05 PM
Wendy said…
Your joy, and YOUR dimpled smile are both highly contagious!
February 25, 2011 2:29 PM
Kitty said…
Glad you are back to your goofy story writing! I missed them. Loved it!!
February 25, 2011 5:00 PM
Erin said…
Glad that you jumped on the blog train! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us!
February 25, 2011 5:07 PM
Shannon said…
So THAT'S how you spell ne'er do well!
February 25, 2011 6:18 PM
Doris said…
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!
February 25, 2011 8:16 PM
glitch-man said…
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)
February 26, 2011 10:00 AM
Beverely said…
So glad you are starting this again. Miss your stories and miss you. We like having your dimples in our lives!!!!
February 26, 2011 10:12 AM
dontslamthedoor said…
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?
February 26, 2011 11:05 AM
Vonda Skelton said…
Beautiful post, Elsa! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of God's dimples. 🙂
February 26, 2011 11:15 AM
April said…
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!
February 26, 2011 12:30 PM
Jane and Bill Henke said…
I have missed your writing Elsa and am so glad you're back. Can't wait to soak up all you have to offer 🙂
February 26, 2011 1:09 PM
yours truly said…
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 🙂
February 26, 2011 4:05 PM
Anonymous said…
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!
February 26, 2011 4:19 PM
rocwomensprisonministry said…
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.)
February 26, 2011 5:25 PM
Kathleen said…
Elsa you are such an inspiration. I look forward to the blogging days ahead! Blessings!
February 26, 2011 8:21 PM
Debbie said…
So very glad to be reading your thoughts again. Brings me closer to you and God.
February 26, 2011 10:44 PM
singledad said…
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.
February 27, 2011 11:16 AM
Kris Stanek said…
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!
February 27, 2011 3:28 PM
Jena O'Hara said…
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!
‘Bout time, Girl! I’ve missed your quirky musings and inspiration. You’re a very bright light, so bring on the Sonshine!
Alice
Ola Beautiful Girl!!!
I am so glad that you posted your new adventure on the DivorceCare forum today! I’ve already signed up.
Love
~Mica
You really inspired me through the divorce care videos & now I’m part of a single mom’s study in your book “A Woman Who Hurts, A God Who Heals”. I look forward to reading more of your blog.
Looooooooooooooove this!!!! Can’t wait to read more…
Thanks, Elsa,
We are so busy being Martha, we forget the joy of being Mary.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Val
Elsa, I enjoy reading your thoughts and “thinking” about them. Just makes me stop and ponder for a second or two. I need to do that more. Can’t wait to see what I need to think about next.