Finding Joy In The Simple Things…

(Blog Post)

My mom bought me a phone today.

It is no secret that for years my interaction with digital devices has been quite disadvantageous. I’ve experienced everything from screen breaks, data losses, and other significant damages. The tiny fractures to the fiber glass never appear as negatively impactful as they really are. One tear can cause a light fixture to rupture and now your keys are all out of whack. I wondered for a season if I even needed a phone. I did a case study on myself. I survived! It seems my friends and family were more concerned about the accessory missing than I was. They said things like, “You need a phone, you have kids.” “What are we going to do if no one can get in touch with you?” So I caved in. I registered again for the technical handheld world developer and joined the crew. So, here I am. The funny thing is GOD and I are in agreement with the need for less screen time. What can I say? I genuinely enjoy the presence of GOD and beauty of life absent of technical involvement. Even though, I’m blessed to work well with technology. The real world is better. The actual infrastructure and combine of the world. Nature Geography, Physiological typology, so on and so forth. Sooooo generally, when phone repair is needed I count it a blessing. I can finally get a break from the media land and digital world.

Prior to my moms’ purchase and gifting of the device, I took a walk. I have a niece-dog now. She is pleasant. I usually walk alone and I know my path. It is one of the only ones I travel. But today, my niece-dog led the way. She was pulling and jerking and leading us places I’ve never been. We stumbled across a flowerbed and watched as four small all-white butterflies flew around it. We observed geese and other dog owners walking. I took the occasion to pray. There are many things that need prayer now and though the summers’ heat scolding discouraged my extended outdoors stay, I still allowed prayer to have its’ way. There was not much of a breeze but GOD breathed breathe into me so with the words of my heart I allowed my mouth to speak. Release. No technology deciphering how the moments should go. Just JESUS, my niece-dog, and I. With our other family members at-home resting, I walked. When I returned home, showered, and prepared to return to my studies, mom called. She said, “I’m minutes away from your home. I need you to take a ride with me.”

After cleaning and doing every other chore imaginable prior to my walk and following, a ride actually fit right into the schedule. I quickly prepared to go with her and to my surprise. Surprise. “I got you a new phone,” she said. It was pleasant. I’m an adult child. I am more excited about gifting my parents than receiving gifts. This gift however, was GOD-sent. My damaged device was prolonging my ability to produce things. However, because I found joy in the simple things and decided not to complain, GOD placed it on my mom’s heart to bless me.

Word of Encouragement: As you go into this day, may you FIND JOY IN THE SIMPLE THINGS. Seek GOD (Matthew 6:33) before you do anything. It is my prayer that as you do, HEAVEN releases every other thing that you need. Think on positive things, live HOLY, evade sin, and love purely. JESUS will handle the rest. The phone was neither a highlight nor is it a tool. For me, it’s a reminder that GOD sees all. And, the love of parents even as we grow, are just as bountiful of blessings than the heart may ever know. No one is the staple example, save JESUS. So learn to appreciate every person and call, and in times when life is hardest pray so you don’t stumble or fall. You’re needed. Just Believe It. Keep going forward in the midst of it all. Take some time to appreciate the simple things today. And maybe, idk, even take a WALK. Piece(Peace). 🫶🏾🙏🏾☝🏾🙌🏾

(Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.-Philippians 4:8) Song-HE IS-William McDowell