It is in the Simplest of Things...

“The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.” -Robert Louis Stevenson

This past week it's really been on my heart how the Lord has and is changing our hearts over the past 24 months.  I think one of the most significant shifts for me is really cherishing the simple.  What does that look like/mean?

Well, let me give you a window into my heart!  There was a time in my life where I was busy, meaning I was going a thousand miles an hour, where??  I know the lesson to slow down, invest time in the really great things of life and embrace those things that have high eternal value is where I want and need my efforts to go.  I have found that a beautiful sunset (which we have a ton of breath-taking ones in the Pacific Northwest); a vibrant bouquet of zinnias from my garden; sharing a cup of coffee and deep conversation; and hugging those I love holds much greater value to me as the Lord refines and readies me (and my family) for His next purpose.  It is not that I didn't appreciate these gifts before, but more that I didn't treasure them to their full potential because I was rushing off to the next good thing.

I once heard a message shared that it is most grand to invest our energies in the best things because there are lots of good things...but God wants us to hone in on the best things He's called us to do.  This is because our good things are someone else's best things...don't steal that from them.  Since hearing that message it's always been a compass for me.  I see the importance and truth in it more and more as the plans for us unfold.

In embracing the simple and saying more "no" to just the good stuff I've realized that heart perspective is not the same for everyone.  One more lesson to learn...to offer abundant grace and be quicker to listen than to speak my mind!!  I can be refined in this, too.

It is not just in experiences that we've learned these beautiful lessons but they have popped up even more boldly in the relationships we've established, invested in and walked this journey of life.  I see more and more why God values relationship sooooooo much.  They truly have the potential to be the blooming flowers in our lives if we're willing to put in the intentional love and time they require and deserve.  We are humbled as we reflect on those people the Lord has placed in our lives who emulate love, treasure the heart things and pour time into those things that make up legacies!  Some don't even realize the impact they are making...they are simply following the Call and being obedient.  What a joy it is to see the fruits of their labors.

It is exciting to ponder how these lessons and focusing on, "What can I learn from this?" is readying us for today, tomorrow and beyond.  I was just thinking the other day how we can bless those we'll be visiting in the Philippines.  How can we speak love to them, sacrificially and selflessly?  I know in the process we will be changed...for the best!

What is the Lord really teaching you?  We would love to hear your hearts!

Deeply Grateful~

Doug and Noelle