We are a culture that is on the search always. For happiness and joy. We look forward to going. Going. Going. Not so much now as in the past, I longed to go on vacation. Where can we go that is going to give us that ultimate rush? That ultimate breathtaking view that is going to send me swooning. For some it is the beach.
For some of us, it’s the mountains.
For some of us, it is cruising on the Caribbean. And for others, it is riding the roller coaster at Cedar Point. Regardless of what trips our trigger, we are in search of the next thing that is going to trigger the quintessential experience.
Some people have “bucket lists”. The list of places and events that will make our personal world all the better.
All of these things are wonderful things to experience. But, if we can not find joy and happiness in the sullied days of our lives, then those beautiful sites will not doing anything for us either.
Temporal is not going to cut it for me. It is short-lived and disappointing. Been there. The reality does not match up to the expectation. Or returning to reality is a disappointment. I want everlasting, ever-lovin’ joy.
I am learning that it is impossible to stay in the moment while I am looking forward. One question I ask myself while I am highly anticipating that moment that will take my breath away: What is going to happen to me at that moment that is not happening to me right now? How is seeing or doing that “thing” going to make me a happier person? It might give me a thrill for a minute but I still have to walk away with that same person that took me there. ME.
Our daily life can be blessed with joy and happiness if we can just sit in it and see the beauty around us. The ordinary.
Our ordinary is such a miracle by itself that it DOES compare to the majestic beauty of a snow-capped mountain.
Our animals take such pleasure in just living and taking in all that abounds. Can I do that? Can I see the beauty in washing the dishes? Pops does it most of the time. I SEE the beauty in that. Cooking dinner? Making beds? I love what a room likes when the bed is made. Sometimes I will make the bed to get in it. Can these things compare to a Hawaiian beach?
When I choose to see God in the ordinary, (which is exactly where He is with us), joy can be found. Since the day that I decided to look for Him in my ordinary, I found Him, and joy was the gift that He gave me. As long as I know where to find Him, I find I really don’t have to take a joy ride anywhere. We have a wonderful friend who had a very spiritual heart who passed away several years ago. Always, he would say, “I got all I need right here.” He was magnificently content even through his terminal illness. “I got all I need right here.” He would pat his heart softly. The man got it.
Author, Ann Voskamp writes, “The only place we need see before we die is this place of seeing God, here and now. ”
I say Amen to that. That place is spectacular.
Happy travels.
God bless,
Karen
The Shieling 