Last August, my son moved to college. Since he's living off campus and not living in the dorm, my husband and I understood that there was a possibility he may not come home much from school. This was difficult for us as we made the first transition from having a full house to an empty nest. But to my surprise, after Christmas break, our son came home a couple of times more than expected. My husband and I were so excited to have him around. We took him out to lunch and enjoyed the rich conversations we had never had with him before.
Looking at him as he talked one day, I basked in the joy of watching my child grow up to be an adult. I had seen such growth and maturity in him since he had left in August. Now, every time he comes home, we make time for him. Whether it's a quick lunch at the diner or getting coffee on the way to running an errand, we always take the time to have a conversation with him. Since he moved away, I have realized it's the simple things in life, like dinner with a son, that make life so rich and rewarding. Not only do I wake up each morning with the hope of Christ, but I also wake up wanting to enjoy the simple pleasures of a conversation with my adult child.
For many years, I wanted to keep up with the Joneses. When I was in my twenties, I wanted to have a house, a car, and everything everyone else had. For years, we worked hard, acquiring all the things that made us “established” in the world. But when those things faded, repairs had to be done in the home, and the new car smell we once had faded, we realized it wasn't the things that made us happy. It was the simple moments of life, like enjoying our family, that really counted.
As my two adult children go off to college and start their own lives, I reflect on the simple things that we did together as a family. Each night after dinner we would take a walk around the neighborhood. We would grab coffee from the local coffee shop and enjoy each other's company as my son and husband raced each other from one end of the street to the other. They laughed, told jokes, and enjoyed the cool night air. When I look back on those times, I don't think about the new car or the home. Rather, I think about the time I got a chance to spend with my son. It’s the simple things in life that make life most rewarding.
Here is how I learned to enjoy the simple things in life:
One of the Ten Commandments says not to covet. God gives Moses this command for good reason. We can spend our lives coveting what other people have. The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. What people don't realize, however, is that "greener" grass always has weeds and crabgrass. Life is too short to be wanting what other people have.
Paul talks about this in Philippians when he talks about contentment. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” While this verse is normally used as a justification to follow our dreams, Paul here is saying to enjoy what we have that God is giving us right now. Paul understood what it meant to be in the pits of despair: chained, starved, and suffering persecution. Paul also understood the riches of life that God would give him, like the blessings of healing and seeing people's lives transformed. When we stop coveting other people's things and are content with what God has given us right now, we will enjoy the simple things in life.
The Bible is not only a list of dos and don’ts but a love letter to His people. God doesn't want us stuck, bound in the throes of jealousy and comparison. Rather, he wants us to live in freedom, content with our lives just as they are. While there's nothing wrong with chasing our dreams or God blessing us during periods of abundance, we all realize that life has its own sets of ups and downs.
Life doesn't always go as planned, and the things we have now may not be the things we have five years from now. When we learn to let go of the things we have and expect that God will take care of us, we enjoy the fruitfulness that the Word has to offer. Solidifying my identity in Jesus is a big one for me, and to be honest, it's something I'll always be working on.
One of the biggest issues the Bible tackles is the issue of identity. We cannot find worth in possessions or how many people like us or how many people share our social posts. Rather, our worth was settled on the cross a long time ago. Despite other people's expectations, thoughts, or feelings about us, we no longer have to strive for others’ approval. This alone should give us hope to live each day in freedom. When we live every day as heirs to the throne of God, we can fully understand who God is and who we are as His children.
Finally, when we learn to surrender control of our lives and give our lives over to God, fully trusting in His provision, we are freed to enjoy the simple things in life. Maybe it means taking an easy morning and sipping coffee on your back porch. Or maybe it's reflecting on the good times of a now-failed relationship. Whatever the case may be, God doesn't want us to live our lives sad about all the things we've lost. Rather, we must trust that the things we lose today are the things God might give us back tenfold as blessings tomorrow.
I have watched God open doors and move figurative mountains in my life both in my career and personal life. There are areas of my life I thought God could never redeem or restore. Yet, God has shown his grace and mercy time and time again in my life. He's blessed me in ways of immeasurable benchmarks. While society builds their lives on hitting certain benchmarks or accomplishments, even worshipping false idols such as children, parents, etc., they live a life that will keep them bound to the world. By knowing who I am as Christ’s daughter, I don't have to live that way anymore.
Take each day to reflect on the simple things God has given you. Where are the blessings in your life? Enjoy the time you get to spend with a young child. Be grateful for the position you have at your job right now. Be grateful for what little or how much is in your bank account. Open your fridge and be grateful for the food God has given you today. When we focus on the little joys and the ways God provides, we will see life with a whole new perspective.
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