Happiness is not found in a store.

The other day was a beautiful day, 64 and sunny here and with all the rain we’ve been having it was easily welcomed by everyone. (yes, I did say rain instead of snow!) But since it was so beautiful we wanted to go ahead and take the kids out for a bite to eat, the original plan being a simple drive-thru order and pick up a few things from the store. Except we ended up going for dinner at a buffet instead. By the time we got home the sun had already gone down and everyone back inside. And I found myself wishing we had never left home in the first place.

I think people believe that going nice places with their kids will make them happy but at the end of the day, we’re left feeling like we missed something. We need to stop and realize how short life is and use the time we have in the best way possible. My husband and I both love simple things and we have still made this mistake on more than one occasion!

You can’t buy happiness or more time, but you can and should be happy and content at home in the yard with your family on a sunny late winter evening. I promise your kids won’t mind, and they’ll be thankful for it when they’re old enough to realize this too!

So next time you’re tempted to load up the kids and leave, pack up a picnic and head to the yard instead for some quality family time. Leaving screens away ’til the sun goes down and enjoy that beautiful evening to the fullest being thankful to God for this time together.

-Martha-

Train up a child in the way he should go: 
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1 Timothy 6:7-8 KJV