Simple Joys

Often in this world we hear about everything that's going wrong. All one has to do is read/watch the news and you'll find something more out there that's worth complaining about. Living life is hard. There are bills to pay, things constantly demanding time and attention that I'd rather spend elsewhere and places I'd rather not go, but need to for various reasons. To be completely honest, life can suck sometimes.

But it's at these times that I remember the simple joys. The little things that make life worth living. Hearing my daughter play make believe in her room. Listening in to that little bit of innocence as she tells her stuffed bear to be nice to her stuffed sheep. Or holding my son and making him giggle up a storm just from the funny face his daddy is making. Or cuddling with both of them on the couch so that their mama can make dinner without hearing fussing. I love it and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

We're told to focus on the negative. Even if not directly, we're so bombarded by it that it can't help but become a central theme of the day. Plus, we're encouraged to compete in this : "I'm more miserable than you!" "No I've got bigger problems!" But does this get us anywhere? Do we really need to focus so much on the bad? Or can we accept the bad with the good and learn to have joy anyways?

There are so many things to be thankful for every day and yet we lose sight of them. Even when you're at rock bottom, the Creator of the universe still loves you. He still sent His Son to die on a cross so that you might have forgiveness of your sins. You can still have the knowledge that this world is not where we, as Christians, have our citizenship. No matter how bad it gets, you can have hope.

And I will pray for you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, that He will raise up your eyes to the heavens. That He will enlighten your minds with the knowledge of Himself. Because He is wonderful. Because He is the only thing worth living for. Because He is the I AM. Please pray this for me as well, so that I remember Who is in charge and that I need not worry but rest in Him.