Lately I’ve been longing for the simple days of the past. The kind of days when all four of my babies were just that, babies.  Babies that giggled. Babies that knew no fear or hurt or pain. Babies that were content in just exploring within the walls of our home.

Life in those days seemed so carefree, so happy, so simple. Days that were filled with piles of Legos, mis-matched outfits, and the sound of Cheerios crunching beneath my feet that ‘somehow’ always found their way to the floor. ☺  There was no homework, no late night activities, or schedules to keep. And, there certainly wasn’t the fear of sickness looming in our house. There was just things like, afternoon cuddles, bed time stories, hide and go seek, and sounds of Sesame Street in the background. It wasn’t easy raising four little ones close in age, but is parenting ever easy?!! These days were long and tiring, but at the same time they would always leave me feeling so refreshed and accomplished. There were many moments of watching my sweet little ones master a new skill, or hearing them squeal in delight as I tickled their belly.  Much to make this momma heart spill over with sweet joy!

Simple, Beautiful, Sweet Joy!

Perhaps it’s the difficulty, the pain, the worry of today that leaves me longing and aching for the simple days I once enjoyed? Maybe it’s not so much the days of ‘yesterday’ that I miss, but more the knowing that all was okay in my world? No fear, no worry, no cancer.

I’ve come to realize though, that just because my life may be different now it doesn’t mean it’s not just as beautiful. It’s actually quite precious! Even in the midst of never ending activities, teenage peer pressure, piles of laundry, and this dark cancer cloud, my life is full. My life is beautiful because each day is a gift! It may not be as simple, it may not be as ‘carefree’, but it’s beautiful! There is so much to find that sweet joy in. Much to rejoice in and be thankful for! So move over hustle and bustle, move over dark cloud, and let the Light shine in! Fill me, oh Lord, with your light!


I have also come to realize that God uses tragedies and storms to pull me back in. He forces me to put my on breaks and stop. Just stop, look around, and reflect.  For it’s when I stop, I am able to truly reflect. This reflection speaks of beauty and of Gods promises.  Life then begins to no longer looks the same as it does when I am looking with blurred vision. It’s clearer, with watchful attentive eyes. Eyes that want to soak up everything, nothing left unseen because so much unknown swirls about. The simple unknown… of another tomorrow. It’s the kind of eyes I had when my children were small and I didn’t miss a thing! How could I have allowed the ‘motions’ of each day, the clutter in my head to blur my vision? Had I really forgotten how to use those ‘eyes on the back of my head’? ☺

God has been working in my heart and has revealed to me that these shoes I walk in are the same shoes I’ve always walked in. There’s no need to long for the days of yesterday. My joy, my happiness, my ‘simple’ life is still right here in front of me. I just sometimes might have to be a little more ‘open’ to see it. Stop, pause and reflect. My path may be different and filled with bumps, but Gods promises haven’t changed just because He has changed my path. He is still the lamp unto my feet that guides my path. He still promises to carry me when I am weak, when I fall, or am just plain tired from a busy day. He still covers me with grace…and mercy… and love. Unfailing love, how great thou art! How great thou art!
Can it really be this simple? I mean just by merely accepting, seeing, our ever changing lives we can discover the new joy and wonderful treasures that lie within these changes? It doesn’t seem that hard really, but it certainly can be! We are human and often don’t like change. Sometimes change is hard or painful! The good news is, we don’t have to go through life alone.  Amen! We can find strength in our precious Savior. He can and will carry us through the ever changing events of our life, through the good, the bad, the storms and hectic schedules. Allowing God to lead and guide us on whatever path He places us on also allows us to open our eyes to the beauty, the joy, that He also places before us.  Open our eyes to see the blessings, open our eyes to the riches of today. While keeping our eyes focused on Him, we are able to focus on today and only today. No worries of tomorrow, no fears of the unknown, no stress of our crazy, busy pace.  Just simply cherish the little moments of today with open, attentive eyes. Simply pause and reflect and see His light shining in.
I’ve chosen to open my heart, open my eyes… to the beauty… the simple… and sweet, sweet joy. Not just of yesterday, but for today and tomorrow and for all the unknown!

Can I encourage you to also stop, pause and reflect and allow the beauty of today fill you?

Blessings!
Pamela