Forevermore-Pleasures

You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV

We welcomed the long holiday weekend with its blank calendar and no particular place to go; no demands or deadlines or distractions. Only time, a full gas tank, and an open road lay before us—a perfect weekend in our book.

Escaping the hectic pace we meandered along quiet country roads—some familiar, some not—soaking up every nook and cranny of God’s creation. Like a touch of heaven, beauty poured forth from every direction.

We bathed in radiant sunshine that warmed our winter-white skin as we drove beneath robin egg blue skies finding occasional relief from leafy green tree tunnels that arched high above our heads. We found red-barn farmlands that bragged of freshly plowed earth and sleepy neighborhoods with pristine gardens dotted in rainbow hues. We even hopped aboard a rural ferry to cross the river just for fun.

Compared to the serendipitous pleasures we enjoyed along the way, our destination seemed insignificant. For it’s through those experiences we catch a glimpse of heaven, isn’t it? It’s as though God’s foreshadowing what’s to come in the here and now; inexpressible pleasures on a simply perfect day that fill our lives with joy and peace and beauty.

We climbed aboard life’s merry-go-round two days ago and it started spinning, making it more difficult to see all God’s beauty.

This morning I spun past the dining room hutch towards my office—a hutch whose dishes tell stories of family history and journeys past. An English tea cup my daughter brought back from London caught my eye. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to drink my coffee from that cup?” (I know, it’s sacrilegious to drink coffee out of an English tea cup, but that’s not the point). I dismissed the thought mid-spin, but as I sat down in my writing chair, God whispered, “Enjoy a cup of coffee in that pretty tea cup! It’s a simple pleasure for a daughter of the King.”

Now, as weird as it might seem to you, sipping my coffee from that beautiful cup ushered me into God’s presence because I knew He offered me that pleasure from His heart. In the midst of my every day, my mundane, my pressures and deadlines, God offered me His personal thoughtfulness and love—a simple pleasure that gave me just a glimpse of all the forevermore pleasures He has in store for me.

Here’s how Sarah Young describes it: “Why would you want to follow a man-made path when My path of life is wide open before you? This path glows with My radiant Presence and it stretches all the way into eternity. As you persevere along this way with Me, I give you samples of forevermore-pleasures” (Jesus Lives, 2009 Thomas Nelson).

What forevermore-pleasures has God shown you lately? Has he whispered his approval on some frivolous pleasure that, like me, you would easily dismiss? God so wants to spend time with you. Take the time to enjoy His little glimpses of heaven throughout your journey today.

Thankful Thursday: Simple Pleasures

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15

Irresistible spring warmth brought excitement to her little face and we spent the day indulging in simple pleasures.

Underneath God's clear blue sky we cracked open the sandbox for the first time this year. Her little hands busied themselves baking sandcastle birthday cakes in green pails with twig candles and singing our best rendition of "Happy Birthday" for every family member near and far.

She stirred chocolate milkshakes in orange cups with red spoons and asked "How is it Grams?" to which I answered, "Delicious!"

We cracked open a rainbow in a big yellow box and the artist in us both leaped onto the cool black asphalt canvas. Our imaginations soared from crouching mama and baby cats hiding in cool green grass to birds soaring under a smiling yellow sun until Mr. Moon peeked out behind that tree.

She jumped on imaginary trampolines drawn in pink until her legs grew tired and her tummy rumbled. And we discussed all her curiosities between bites of chicken nuggets covered in red catsup and sips of grape juice--like which bird makes that song? Where do crows live? What kind of nuts do squirrels bury? Why she's afraid of tiny gnats but not yellow bees, and more. I knew most of the answers, but not all.

I love all her questions, watching her imagination take off, and listening to all her stories. And as I do I think of Jesus and how he welcomed the little ones - their curiosities and questions.

After his disciples tried shooing the children away from him,  Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:14-16). 

How exciting it must have been for Jesus to witness the uninhibited imaginations of these children--witnessing their appreciation and joy for His creation--and to relish in their simple, all-trusting faith in who He was and what He taught.

Enjoying life through my granddaughter's eyes reminds me of life's rich beauty, complexity and details that only God could have created. On this Thankful Thursday I am grateful for her childlike faith that pricks my heart and reminds me to find God in all life's simple pleasures.

What are some simple pleasures you enjoy? Let's indulge today and slip suggestions of simple pleasures in the comments below.

New Slippers on Worn Feet

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27a

She sits lonely in her wheelchair by the window--broken leg propped up, whole leg dangling down--the one who shares her birthday with my granddaughter.

Lungs inhale the lifeless scent of age, deep. Lips force a smile for the sake of one whose robust life once brimmed over full of joy. Her eyes meet familiar faces and she brightens--invites us to sit down and share life.

Life? Life when death is so close? How do you share life with one who's nearly done?

She rambles on cheerfully about doctor reports, kind nurses, and thirty-year-old (sometimes older) memories. I listen and place clean clothes in drawers--throw out the worn stockings, shoes, and slippers.

"How about some new slippers?" I interrupt.

"Oh yeah!" She exclaims. "That would be nice."

Like Cinderella, she places her worn foot of her whole leg in the palm of my hand and I gently replace the old with the new and do the same on her broken leg. And I can't help but wonder how many miles those worn feet have walked--how much life she's lived. And I think, her days are short.

She speaks more of death, now--still grieves her husband, fourteen years passed--feeling robbed, yet yearning for heaven herself.

Share life? She has shared life with me as long as I've lived--extending arms of support at birthdays, holidays, picnics, vacations, babysat my children every week for free. The least I can do is share her last days, however long, by lavishing her with simple pleasures--like new slippers on worn feet.

"The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help." 1 Timothy 5:5