Life's Little Pleasures

I am sorry all of you who follow my blog, I have not been posting for awhile as my work has been extra busy, right now our missionary team is focusing on disaster relief in Haiti and as such need all of your prayers and support.

Here is some beautiful word I read the other day.

Our friend Thomas is a keen gardener, and it is always a great joy to walk around his garden. Recently, I was admiring some beautiful double chrysanthemums he had on show.

“Yes, they’re fine,” he agreed, but seemed to hesitate as he said it. I waited for him to continue. “Yes, there have been some wonderful developments—new varieties and all the rest of it. Yet sometimes, you know, I think we brush aside too easily the simple types, the single flowers with their delicate perfection.” And he led me across the lawn and pointed out just such an example.

No one, I think, would want to lose some of the wonderful developments which man’s skill and care has brought to all kinds of things, but I think we need to remem- ber Rudyard Kipling’s prayer, “Teach us delight in simple things. ... ” --Francis Gay

Possessions, outward success, public- ity, luxury—to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best for the body and the mind.

—Albert Einstein

It was God who created the simple pleasures and joys of life for us to enjoy. He made our bodies and our senses to be able to look upon and enjoy things which are beautiful, to taste things which are de- licious, to hear beautiful music, to feel nice things that we touch, and to smell the beautiful perfume of a flower or even of a delicious meal that is cooking.

—Unknown

Apraiseful heart can find joy in so many things—learning a skill, walk- ing through the woods, meeting a friend, viewing a beautiful sight, cooking a good meal, giving a gift, teaching a child, help- ing someone in need, finding ways to serve, discovering a new truth, appreci- ating an old one, reaching out to God in prayer, passing His love on in little or big ways. There are so many things in life to be happy about—simple things, little things, joyous things, precious things.

Jesus, please help us to seize each op- portunity for enjoyment of all You’ve given us. Help us to see all the sparkles You’ve put in our path and to not fail to thank You for them, knowing that they and You are what make life wonderful.

—Chloe West

God Always Needs More Pipe

By Barbara Johnson (Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life)

Think of a gardener irrigating his garden. He is able to channel life-giving water to all areas except to one little dying plant way over in the corner. The gardener knows that if he had just one more piece of pipe he could run it over to that wilting plant and transform it with new life.

So it is with the Master Gardener. Because He chooses to minister through us, He needs many lengths of pipe to bless persons here, there, and all around. Perhaps in your area there is a drooping, wilting person who needs God's touch right now. Proverbs says, "Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders" (Proverbs 12:25 TLB).

We can be that extra piece of pipe through which He can channel His cheer, encouragement, and joy to those who need it. Christ Himself set the example of what it means to be a spirit-lifter. On the night before He died, during one of the darkest moments that He and His disciples had ever known in the three years that they had been together, He told them, "Cheer up, for I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 TLB).

Love is the greatest gift we have to give, and if we let Him, God will help us be sensitive to loneliness, grief, and pain wherever it exists-which is all around us.

* * *

A Prayer

One way to be a "pipe" of God's love is to pray for others. Your prayers can bring His love nearer and make His help more available to your loved ones. Here's a sample prayer.

Dear Jesus, I ask You to bless my friends. Each one has a different set of circumstances, joys, problems, and needs, but You can provide for each one.

Where there is pain, give Your peace and mercy.

Where there is tiredness, please give understanding of Your strength, and show these how to tap into that strength by leaning on You.

Where there are difficult decisions to make or confusion or stress, make Your way plain and give everything needed for these to follow where You lead.

Where there is loneliness, I ask You to renew the experience of Your nearness and draw these into greater intimacy with You.

Where there is insecurity or self-doubt, please grant renewed confidence in Your abilities, more faith in You inside each of these.

Where there is fear, please demonstrate Your love and give courage, as we know You can work out any situation for the best.

Where there is something blocking fellowship with You, please reveal the obstacle and take it away-whether sin, circumstances, or lack of faith.

Where there is a need for finances or other provision, please supply as You promised in Your Word, "God will supply all your need" (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

Where there is illness, send healing by Your miracle-working power and give instruction for healthful lifestyles.

Where there is a need for friendship and love, send other believers to fill up the void, as the Bible says, "If we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other" (1 John 1:7 TLB).

Where there is a spiritual emptiness, send Your Word for inspiration, and grant sweet communion with You in prayer.

Whatever the need, please fill it, I ask in Your name, Jesus, as the Giver of all good things. Amen.