Choosing Simple Joy

Wake up. Start the laundry. Make breakfast. Get dressed. Get everyone out the door. Go to work. Attend meetings. Send emails. Drive home. Fix dinner. Straighten up. Jump into the bed. Start again tomorrow.

If I’m not careful, I will fill my days with all the things I have to do and not leave room for the things that nurture my soul, fill me up, or give me joy. Of course, the most important way to experience joy is to spend time in God’s presence. But we can also choose to engage our sense of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell to enjoy simple joys that fill our soul. The Psalmist reminds us that “The heavens declare the glory of God…” Psalm 19:1 (ESV). God leads us to the path of joy and also provides opportunities for us to engage our senses to enjoy our world.

Our soul will not stay full on its own. Its filling takes our participation. I am learning to make time to look at the sky, listen to music, light the candles, savor a good meal, or go outside to feel the breeze. We can trust God for the joy He alone can provide, while also making time to discover the joy around us everyday.

Chrystal Evans Hurst is the author of She’s Still There, a book for women who feel lost in the middle of their life. Chrystal also co-authored Kingdom Woman with her father and pastor, Tony Evans. ChrystalEvansHurst.com