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In life it really is the simple things that bring the most joy. So many
people believe the lie that you have to have the most expensive, the most
extravagant, the most envied and most popular "It Item" in order to be
happy and fulfilled. In truth, material possessions don't do anything to
fill the void in one's heart or make them feel complete and whole. In
order for one to be fulfilled, they first must be content within their own
hearts. They can't look to the outside world to fill what is missing
within themselves. They must look at the simple things and see the joy
that comes with it. The love and laughter that come with friends and
family. The joy that one feels by simply knowing how lucky they are to be
alive. The gratitude one feels when they see and hear the beauty and
sounds of God's creation that surrounds them. When one simply looks at
the things that money can't buy and finds joy, gratitude, thankfulness and
a sense of appreciation in them, that is when fulfillment will overtake
their being.
When we take a moment and inwardly reflect over our life, we will see how
we were most happy when we had, enjoyed and relished in the simple
things. As children growing up playing hopscotch on the sidewalk, or
playing tag with friends. Enjoying a board game or playing cards with
family and friends, watching a movie and either laughing, crying or
getting scared together depending on the movie are some great memories
that I have. Going roller skating with friends, going to the beach or
pool together and enjoying the day are all memories that are still vibrant
in my mind and all of these activities cost very little, but still they
brought such joy, such fun and left such lasting impressions. We should
remind ourselves again about the simple things. We should remember that
materialism doesn't fulfill the heart, but love, laughter and oneness with
those who mean the most to us do more to bring us joy than any possession
that we could ever purchase.
Be encouraged to think on the simple things again. Do those things that
don't cost so much, but still bring so much joy to one's heart. Spend
time with those whom you love the most. Enjoy one another's company, live
in oneness, share stories together and create memories that will last a
lifetime. You who are old enough to remember can testify to the fact that
the greatest of memories were created with the least amount of money. Let
us revert back to the simple times that brought us so much joy, laughter
and fulfillment. That is my wish for all of us.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to do the simple
things again and create memories that will last a lifetime.
THE BIG BOX
Back when my two oldest children were just two and four years old we lived
in a small apartment above an old drug store. It had only a single bedroom,
so we had converted the tiny dining area into a bedroom for the kids. I
remember it only had enough room for 3 things: two small beds and one big
box. Every evening my wife and I would gather up all the kids’ toys that
were scattered throughout the apartment and fill up the big box for the
night. We would then kiss our babies goodnight and walk into the living
room to read or watch television.
One evening, however, as we were reading we heard the sound of giggling
from the other room. When we rounded the corner we found piles of stuffed
animals, blocks, toy cars and coloring books thrown across the floor and
on the beds. As we turned to the big box we saw two smiling faces looking
up at us from within it. We smiled down on them as well. Then we gave our
two pajama wearing, box loving, fort dwellers a good tickling before having
them help clean up the mess and get back in bed. As I remember those
delightful moments from so many years ago one thing still amazes me. That
is of all the different toys they had back then my two, little children
liked and enjoyed that big, cardboard box most of all.
Maybe we can all learn something from those two, little toddlers. This
world is full of wonderful things to enjoy and take pleasure in. The most
wonderful thing of all, though, is the big box that holds them all: life
itself. It is big enough for all the dreams in our minds and love in our
hearts. It is big enough to invite others in to play, learn, and grow. It
is big enough to become anything you want it to be and anything you choose
to make it. Enjoy all of your adventures in this big box of life then.
Play, dream, laugh, learn, and love. And always remember that your loving
Father in Heaven is smiling down on you as well.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 3:16-18 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down
His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But
whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth.”
Galatians 6:2-4 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he
have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: THINGS TO FORGET
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem141.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: ANGELS IN THE ROOM
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony84.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
