Hidden Treasures

Do you look for the hidden treasures, simple pleasures in your marriage or in your life? I didn’t until one day recently, as I was having a pity party for myself, … I heard the quiet, still, small voice ask me that same question. As He asked, I answered … painfully … “No.” No, Lord … I look at what I don’t have and what I don’t like about my marriage and myself. No, Lord … I look at what bothers me about my husband. No, Lord … I look at what I don’t like about being a stay at home mother and a wife. Am I being too “real” for you or can you relate to that place? Be honest, if you dare.

So, I found myself being challenged because He showed me that I needed to look at the hidden treasures, simple pleasures that everyone has but they very seldom take the time to meditate on. My problem, I had gotten so used to looking at the “half empty glass” … I had to make a conscious effort to see the “half full” one. He reminded me of His word, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phil 4:8) So, I took Him at His word and I did just what it said.

I thought about my husband … the hidden treasures … those things that I love about him. The gentleness and sweetness of his goodbye kiss in the morning. The way he encourages me in the desires of my heart. His strength. His uncompromising stand when it comes to the Word (even when it irritates me). The way he plays with our daughter and tickles her until she laughs that deep belly laugh even though he’s exhausted after couriering all day in a car without air-conditioning in ninety-five degree weather. I love to watch him worshipping God with hands lifted high and a humble heart.

I thought about the simple pleasures of being married … being held tightly in the middle of the night or when I need comfort. The comfort of snuggling and feeling secure knowing that we are “One Flesh”. The pleasures of playing hide and seek with our daughter, knowing that without us there would be no her. The silly fun of drawing smiley faces on our fingers and giggling like children because we are giving each other finger kisses.

I thought about the joy I know in having a marriage not without trial but which is securely rooted and grounded in the promises of the Word. I thought about the hidden treasures of knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am loved both by my husband and my daughter unconditionally. I thought of the joy I feel when I lie in bed with my husband and my daughter and we say our good night prayers. I thought about every morning when my baby girl calls for me and comes running to our bed, expecting and knowing that we will spend time just lying there cuddling, playing, praying and reading our Mother/Daughter devotional.

I thought about the simple pleasure of making things nice for my family. The more I thought … the more I recognized … the more of the hidden treasures, simple pleasures God revealed to me … they had been there for me to discover all along. No longer, did I see my glass “half empty”, not even “half full” but overflowing!!

So, when the bills need to be paid, the laundry is piled high, the house needs to be cleaned, the car needs to be serviced, the baby is crying, the children are fighting, you are angry with each other (you can’t remember why), you don’t want to be married anymore and you think that you are the most horrible husband/father or lousy wife/mother. Ponder in your heart those hidden treasures, simple pleasures and REJOICE!!!