The Simple Things

Tucked away near the Pocono Mountains, right beside a little creek, is a quaint shop that primarily sells freshly made pies and hot dogs. The food is great, prices reasonable, and the name is simple: Apple Pie Bakery. For some, it may not sound like much, but I often reminisce about that little store because the first time my wife and I visited it was during our honeymoon. We had lunch there, sitting outside by a nearby creek bank, simply enjoying life. Two years later, we brought our first child, Ethan, to that same place and still found it as enjoyable as before.

So what is my point? Well, it is not hard to tell that we live in a commercially driven society, and too often, we miss out on the simple joys in life. Some people think a family vacation must involve several days at an extravagant amusement park or an all-inclusive cruise to a tropical island. Certainly, these experiences can be fun, but what makes a lasting impact on a child is not a two-minute roller coaster ride—it’s the moments when a father or mother plays Legos with them or lets them help prepare supper.

The devil seeks to keep our eyes searching for bigger and better things, causing us to lose sight of life’s simple blessings. He strives to keep our focus fixed on the glittering towers of fashion and materialism, making us overlook the joy of spending quality time with family, appreciating the beauty of creation, and simply meditating on the goodness of God.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 states, “It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. It's like trying to catch the wind (GWT).” When someone is several yards away, his shadow may cast a large image on a wall, but the closer he walks toward it, the smaller it becomes. Constantly chasing the next big thing can yield the same fading results. We would do well to remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”