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Today.......
I want to share one of the valuable things I've learned from the Amazing Mr. Brintnall...
When we were dating, he would say things that I wasn't exactly sure how to interpret. Once, when discussing our goals and dreams, he said~~~
It's the simple things in life that really matter.This sounds good....maybe you've said that...
But.......I had never said anything like that...
Before the Amazing Mr. Brintnall came into my life....I was focused on achieving....doing better than I had before, going higher, working harder, making a name for myself.....
From my early childhood, I constantly strove to be better....I had to get the best grades, be class president, then Student Body president. I had to write more articles for the school newspaper, win speech tournaments, and get the lead in the high school play (as a freshman nonetheless).
Things happened in my life that distracted me....but my innate desire is to ACHIEVE!!!
I don't want to just be a good preacher...I want to be a GREAT preacher. I don't want to just "get by" in life, I intend to prosper!
I expected the Amazing Mr. Brintnall, whom I loved, to say something like, "We're going to the top, baby. Nothing will stop us now. Look out, world. We may have been sidetracked, but here we come!"
Nope. He said, "It's the simple things in life that really matter."
What did he mean by that??????
Did he mean that he wasn't motivated to accomplish much?
Did he mean that he wouldn't let me buy any more nice clothes if we married?
Did it mean that he would want me to go camping? (GOD FORBID!!!)
As kindly as I could, I asked him to clarify what he meant.
He said something about driving out a dirt road on a summer night, and sitting in the back of his pick up truck to look at the stars....
He talked about going on an impromptu picnic at the lake.
He said something about teaching our grandchildren how to fish.
He mentioned being content with what we have and where we are.
Thank God, he didn't say anything about camping!!!!
When he mentioned the simple things in life, he didn't mean that his goal was to do nothing, accomplish nothing, and be a lazy bum....(Tip to single ladies- do NOT get involved with a lazy man!)
The amazing Mr. Brintnall is one of the hardest workers I know. He put in a 27 hour day last week while I was out of town...there was an important project at work that needed to be done, and he worked from 6:00 a.m. Wednesday until 8:00 a.m. Thursday to see that it was done.....
The Amazing Mr. Brintnall is always thinking of ways to do more, be better, and take care of his family...
He doesn't mind if I buy nice clothes, and he likes it when I dress up.....whew! Funny thing is, I prefer my jeans and sandals these days to suits and heels....
He doesn't even like to camp any more......praise the Lord for that!!!
I think I've finally figured out what he meant when he said....
It's the simple things in life that really matter.The Amazing Mr. Brintnall and I planted a garden a few months ago. (Well, he planted it...I water it and eat from it!) We enjoy walking out to the garden and looking at the fruit of our labor. We keep an eye on the strawberries and tomatoes for slugs that have tried to overtake them. There's a certain kind of gratification when the tomato ripens and makes its way onto our salad that night. We find a joy in knowing that we planted something and we are harvesting. That's a simple thing, but it's a very good thing.
We eat 95% of our meals at home. There are certain regular items on our menu. One of them is Taco Salad. Taco Salad night is like party night at our house. Yep, we like it that much! We laugh and celebrate how much we enjoy this simple meal in our quiet little home in the sugar cane fields of southern Louisiana. It's a simple thing, but it's a very good thing.
We love our kids. His youngest son just graduated high school, and we were thankful to be able to witness him walk the stage. Then we were able to spend a week with him and my son and his family as they got to know one another on a family vacation. The trip wasn't fancy--no first class plane tickets, five star hotels, or fancy restaurants--but the time together was precious. It was a simple thing, but a very good thing.
We go out to eat once in a while, but on a more regular basis, we go out for ice cream. It costs us up to $6.50.... (when I get something fancy).....We park at the drive in at Sonic, put our windows down, and listen to 1960's Rock and Roll Music as we enjoy our indulgences....he always gets a strawberry sundae...It's a simple thing, but a very good thing.
We pray together before every meal. He thanks God for the food and blesses it, but he also thanks God for sending Jesus so we would have a way to Him; he prays for other family and church needs, and at the end of the prayer he always says, "Thank You, God for Gloria and her love for me." Then we kiss. Every. Single. Time. It's a simple thing, but a very good thing.
Yes, it's the simple things in life that really matter.
We still have goals and dreams. God is not finished with either of us. We just wrote a new set of goals and put them on our refrigerator. We are working hard, sowing seed, and believing God...but we have decided to ENJOY where we are RIGHT NOW.
LIFE IS TOO SHORT to always be looking so far ahead that you can't appreciate where you are and what God has ALREADY DONE FOR YOU!
Yes, there is more to dream. Yes, there are loftier goals ahead of you. There is more, but begin today to be THANKFUL for the SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE!
"But godliness with contentment is great gain...." 1 Timothy 6:6
Find some simple things that bring joy to your life and celebrate them!
I'll blog you next week....until then, do something today to fulfill your purpose....
