Favorite Things
Take a moment, and think about your “favorites.” Who makes you smile? What makes you feel happy? Do you love the beach or the mountains? Sweet or salty? Adventure or relaxation?
A few of my favorite things include:
• The sight of my children – any day and any time
• The sound of a baby’s laugh
• The smell of spring rain
• The touch of my husband’s hand around mine
• The sight of a beautiful sunrise or sunset
• The sound of my parent’s voices
• The taste of chocolate
• The breeze at the beach
• The twinkle in my Grandma’s eyes
• The embrace of a dear friend
• The splendor of God’s creation
• The buzz of voices with intermittent peals of laughter at a family gathering
• The joy my dog exhibits when I arrive at home
• The peace of rocking a sleeping baby
The list could go on and on, but I would never exclude these most important ones:
• The joy of my relationship with Jesus Christ
• The presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide
• Quiet Time with God
• Fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ
God has given us many gifts that afford us blessed relief from the harsh realities of life. Let’s be real: life on this side of eternity is hard. We see it all around us. We hear it in the voices of the hurting. We feel it in our very core when it is our family, our health, or our friend in need.
God has given us a wonderful treasure. Assurance of a future absent of all that breaks our hearts. As wonderful as the first list may be, it does not begin to compare to the joy, peace, and beauty of heaven. Eternity in the presence of the One who loves us more than we can comprehend. Forever with the One who died for our ultimate healing.
“But, as it is written, “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
I don’t know what you might struggle with today, but I know that in Christ Jesus, there is a deep, satisfying joy that is unexplainable. He has given us many things here that bring us happiness. Those things will pale in comparison to what He has prepared for us in heaven.
I pray that you will pause from the one-thousand-and-one things you feel you must do today. Think about your favorite things; they are gifts from a loving God. Smile. As good as they are, the best is yet to come.
Big hugs and Christian love,
Charlene Miller
Lean into Jesus Ministries
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4 ESV
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