Delight In The Lord

On Saturday we experienced the Des Moines Farmers Market. We got there early and were amazed at the plethora of senses already in place. From a distance we saw the rows of white vendors' tents and groups of people gathered around, some forming lines, waiting for their turn to make a purchase. As we walked closer there were dashes of color everywhere, from the mounds of plump, juicy and ripe vegetables, beautifully presented to make you mouth water. Bundles of beets; gathered greens of every size, variation, and shaped leaf; shiny red tomatoes; freshly peeled mangos on a stick, bouquets of blooms; and artsy displays of handcrafted jewelry, birdhouses, metal signs and homemade pies, cookies, and breads.

The fragrances blended at times and we walked through pockets of floating aromas of cinnamon and yeast, multiple coffees and spices, fresh strawberries, pungent onions and greens, blooming flowers, aromatic creations in lotions and soaps, and cooking eggs, sausages, and peppers for spicy breakfast burritos. Occasional whiffs of the city's asphalt passes through, quickly to be overcome by the sweet smells of delicious eating options.

Just as interesting as the marketed produce, was the amazing diversity of dogs in a constant parade of uniqueness. Strutting their stuff down the streets, exotic dogs of every shape, size and color stole the show as people paused to view them as the dogs' noses soaked in all the scents along the way.

There were songs by talented singers on every corner where folks would gather to listen and show their appreciation by tossing a dollar into an open guitar case. And there was plenty of chatter as people talked about the views of delight they took in. People watching could be entertainment enough by itself. Wonderful diversity of urban and rural, varied nationalities, young and old, in strollers and wheelchairs, walking with bags or baskets ready for the purchase of the day.

The farmers' market was truly a display of God's creation. As with any large event, the gathering of God's people brings evidence of the diversity in His creation. We all are His and He wants, more than anything else, for us to understand and know Him. Seeing examples of His creation helps us understand our God a little better. He loves us all and delights in our uniquenesses.

"This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV).