Monday, December 25, 2017

Simple Pleasures Bring the Greatest Joy

Simple pleasures bring the greatest joys.

The assembling together of saints regardless of the denomination and basking in the worshipful adoration of the knowledge that our lives are in His hands while heartily singing songs. Recently, I was moved by this song that I had never heard before - I, the Lord of Sea and Sky. The singing of this hymn was a simple pleasure.


The spoken word. So much is embodied in a good word as Jesus was the original Word that became flesh. (John 1:1-14) Words have power and can take on a life of their own. Everything starts with a word, as God moves in each of us using our creative expressions to birth a thought. Words spoken from the pulpit; words of others who encourage and edify. The ability to connect thoughts that provide deeper insights.This too is a simple pleasure.

Then there's the ability to string words together on the page. Writing because I have something to say from a place of edification and knowledge that is covered by divine guidance in my life. Writing is a simple pleasure that has brought great joy, not just to me but to those who read my words.

I have experienced the simple pleasure of celebrating another birthday. At this stage of the game, theoretically, I'm over the proverbial hill where it's all downhill from here. But from a running perspective, this is not a bad thing for when you go downhill, you cover more ground in a shorter period of time while exerting less effort. It's that downhill momentum of going with the flow, letting it all hang out and gaining ground that's quite enjoyable to me. It's a simple pleasure, so I don't mind being over the hill as I enjoy the simplicity and beauty of running downhill.

I'm surrounded by family - one thing I know for sure, next to being loved by an eternal God is that I am LOVED by my family. I enjoy just being with them. I enjoy communing with my adult children - the relationship has changed where they are no longer subordinates to me but we are partners figuring out the rest of life. They provide insight to me and because I'm the parent I will always share my viewpoint. I am LOVED by my husband - I don't even know where to begin as words fail me. But this I know - he really knows me and loves me. I am LOVED by my extended family - I have a special place in my heart for my mother in law. She and I have clicked from the beginning, and sometimes when people see us together they think I'm her daughter. She had no daughters but she got lucky when I came into the family (smile).

Simple pleasures.

But what it takes to get to joy. It's not always easy or instantaneous. It's not even an automatic reaction. It's a choice to see the beauty in all things; to understand that pleasure can be found in what we often deem as mundane; that it may come after putting in a lot of joyless effort yet the outcome can be pleasing to you and others. It comes with recognizing a natural order and a humility and humanity in nature. It comes with simply letting go for "joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God." (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)

This Christmas, I'm far away from the hustle and bustle of shopping, shopping, and more shopping and I like it this way. I like focusing on the meaning of the holiday while spending time with family and friends with lots of good conversation and scrumptious food.

There's a simple pleasure at this time of the year that we all acknowledge by buying gifts, or putting up Christmas trees, or donning Christmas colors in our attire (red, white, green) or not doing any of this while recognizing the beauty of Christmas. It's all because of the simple miraculous birth of a baby over 2000 years ago. A simple birth with no complications, the most natural of all births in a manger. A simple birth that heralded the fulfillment of prophecies and created a yearning for a better way. Simple can do that and simple did and because of this unique simple pleasure, we have the ability to have the greatest Joy. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Simple pleasures bring the greatest Joy. "Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."(Mother Teresa)


But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21

May your days be merry and bright because of the simple pleasure of Christ's birth. Simple pleasures bring the greatest joys.

--Nylse

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7 comments:

  1. Hi Nylse, Love your simple pleasures thinking at this time of year. Thank you for the wisdom in what it takes to get to joy. "It's not always easy or instantaneous. It's not even an automatic reaction. It's a choice to see the beauty in all things; to understand that pleasure can be found in what we often deem as mundane."

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  2. Dear Nylse, what a tender reminder that a relationship with our Savior doesn'the have to be complicated to be rich and deep. Neither do our everyday lives. Thank you for sharing your simple pleasures.

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  3. This is my first visit to your blog, Nylse. Love your heart as it's expressed through your keyboard! Simple pleasures. Oh yes! Because I've been dealing with more back pain than usual for the last 5 months, I scaled things back in my Christmas decorating and in our Christmas food. Now, a visitor to my home might not be able to tell I scaled back at all, but I know it, and it hasn't hurt our celebration of the birth of Christ one bit! The Lord has been so good to us. Like you, I'm so incredibly thankful for what God has done for me. He saved me back in 1989 and has walked with me through this life every step of the way ever since through tough times and exceptionally wonderful times. What a Savior we have! Keep writing, dear sister in Christ.

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  4. WOW I love how you explained the downhill momentum, that really ministered to my heart this morning. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Grace and Truth Link Up.

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  5. Simple is good though I love decorating and overdoing it a little. I have slacked off. Words are powerful and a good vocabulary is a blessing. I love the joy quote, and I'll be coasting along with you though I have never skied, I just turned 56, I still think I'm 30, forever young in Jesus. Happy New Year Nylse.

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  6. "Simple pleasures bring the greatest joys." Amen! I love the song by John Michael Talbot! His words and music are so uplifting. Blessings to you! I'm your neighbor at #TuneInThursday.

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  7. Good post, dear one! The simpleness of Jesus which changed the world.

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