Simple Pleasures

This used to be something I'd say often. I'd say it when I was commenting on something sweet, simple, or trivial that brought me small amounts of joy. All of these things added up were actually the reason I named my blog Finding Joy on the Journey. But I've found over the past year I haven't been finding much joy. Not only haven't I been writing here about joy, I haven't been noticing joy in every day things. This used to be a trademark of mine! I'd smile about something trivial (like the rich blue sky on a summer day) and say, "It's those simple pleasures..." while those around me raised eyebrows at my celebration of the ordinary.

But it's been a really long time since that's happened. I feel like my joy has been squashed by too many painful, challenging things in life: illness, hurts, sins, depression, significant life changes, death, heartache, busy-ness, exhaustion, to-do lists, survival... to name just a few.

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
Psalm 126:5

Not sure what came first... the heartache or the loss of perspective. Did I allow the negativity to take first place because I focused on it instead of the simple pleasures around me? I really don't know, but I do know that I need to change it.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.
Psalm 51:12

I need more of those "breath of fresh air" moments in my days. I need to laugh at the goodness of my children, smile at the wildflowers and thank God for the finches.

For You, O LORD, have made me glad
by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
Psalm 92:4

I need to smell the autumn breeze and give my children underdogs. I need to sit down and be excited about the simplicity of my favorite throw blanket and slippers. I need the joy of the simple things as much as I need breath.

A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22

And I want to voice it when I see the simple pleasures so those around me might see them too.

Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

So hopefully you'll see some changes around here. I don't want to give myself something to do just to do it, but hopefully you'll see the fruit of my heart change. I'm asking the Lord to bring His joy back to my heart through the simple things He does around me every day, and I'm asking for it to be overflowing and unquenchable. I'm asking Him to do that just because He loves me that much.

Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18