peace

Simple PLEASURES

/ Dora Hiers / 15 Comments

Can you believe that we’re well into November already? Sheesh! Sneeze, and the holiday season will be upon us and we’ll be staring at this. 

Our Christmas tree last year

Nice, huh? But do you notice the pressure beginning to mount right about now? A lump that slides down your throat? Or a slight catch in your breath?

Yeah, me, too. Writing deadlines. Thinking of perfect gift ideas. Venturing out among the swarm of holiday shoppers and fighting traffic (I don’t do traffic well). Holiday parties. Baking. Cleaning the house…

You fill in the blank for your family. The never ending to-do list is enough to make a person want to crawl back under the covers and hide until the season’s over. Right?

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, 
whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Isaiah 26:3 TLB


I kind of lose my balance on those days that I miss my sweet communion with Him, don’t you? I firmly believe that God knows how much I miss worshiping at His feet, and He gives me simple pleasures to dwell on His goodness throughout the day. Like these:

The soothing sound of a fountain or the peacefulness of a quick walk around the park

A comforting cup of hot chocolate


Warm, fuzzy slippers

A perfect, North Carolina blue sky

Crazy animal antics

A hug or smile from one of these sweeties

Simple pleasures that mean so much. Simple pleasures that take my mind off of insignificant details and the busyness of the season, and help me focus on Him and His love for us. 
What are the simple pleasures God plants in your path every day?
How do you destress during the holidays?


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E is for Envy…

/ Dora Hiers / 19 Comments
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. 
Prov 14:30 NIV

What does that person do for a living to afford that?
Wow! Would you look at that house! Wouldn’t you love to live there?
Why did my co-worker snag the promotion? I was more qualified.

Do you fall into the “envy” trap? 
Confession time! I admit that sometimes I do. Maybe I haven’t said those particular words. Mine would sound more like…
What? That writer can crank out 5,000 words in a day? How is that possible? I’m not sure I can think that fast, let alone type! or
You sold 100 books at a booksigning? or
She snagged a multi-book contract on her first try?
Insert heavy sigh here. When I hear about these tremendous accomplishments, I cringe and immediately wonder what’s wrong with me. Why can’t I write that fast? When it comes to speed, I’m definitely not going to break any records. I count it a good day if I manage to eek out over 1,000 words. To sell 100 books at one time? That number hasn’t even filtered into my dreams yet. I was thrilled to snag a contract for one book, and I lost track of the years and how many rejections it took to get that. 

If I dwell on those things, I become cranky, ungrateful, and dissatisfied with the journey I’m on.
Envy rots the bones.

Oh Lord, I so don’t want to go down that road.

“My precious daughter, don’t you know by now that I love you just the way you are?” A tiny voice whispers in my heart, convicting me that envy is not from God. “You are fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14 NIV) 


Fearfully and wonderfully made? Yowzers! 

No, God didn’t equip me to crank out 5k in a day, but He created me, shaped me into the person I am, unique and one-of-a-kind, precious in His sight. How my complaining and comparing must hurt Him! 

Ouch!

I’m so sorry, precious Lord. Please forgive me. Guard my heart from envy. Don’t allow it to seep into my life and settle into my bones. I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

What about you? Do you fall into the “envy” trap?

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