The More You Live the Gospel, the More Fun Life Is

When we were newlyweds we visited some friends who we really admired. They had an amazing family although at the time their parents were serving as missionaries in Mexico.. Their dwelling was a humble home in a lower-income part of town where they raised eight children. At least one of their children was handicapped. It wasn’t their stuff that impressed us, it was their happiness. They just seemed to have a really kind, happy family.

I wondered what the secret to their happiness was? How could people be so happy without affluence and a prestigious lifestyle? We saw a sign on their fridge that summed it up for me. I made the sign into the picture quote that you see above. You are free to use it as you would like. The saying was, “The more you live the Gospel, the more fun life is.” And they seemed to be the type of people who tried to live all the commandments – from loving others to eating well – they were trying to do the things that God had asked them to do.

God gives us commandments so that we can be happier. Some people look at commandments as restrictions. Think of a shopping cart. Some people think that every time they “have” to keep a commandment it’s like God is taking something out of their shopping cart. Taking away fun or friends or time. But actually, it’s just the opposite of that. Each time you keep a commandment, God is putting blessings in your shopping cart. If you are honest, people trust you and you have better relationships. If you don’t commit adultery social science says your family is happier. If you care for others studies show that you are less stressed. If you don’t covet you can spend time being grateful and enjoying what you have. If you live a temperate life and follow my church’s Word of Wisdom, you are healthier and more energetic. All of God’s commandments bless us in direct and indirect ways.

Yes, “the more you live the Gospel, the more fun life is.”

Finding Hygge in the Everyday Moments

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Everyone seems obsessed with hygge these days.  And what is hygge?  The definition I found said that hygge is a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).  And isn’t hygge what most people are trying to achieve.  Comfort and warmth.  Hence, I notice the word used in conjunction with cooking, decorating, fires and candles.  Items being the primary method for invoking hygge.  Which makes sense for a material-centered culture like ours.

But I would exert that true hygge is less about the meal or the perfect surroundings and more about the feeling.  Imagine entering a beautiful perfectly decorated home with a fire burning and candles. The scene has been set for a lovely evening.  But the people in the home are strange to you and are talking about you in an unfriendly manner.  No matter how lovely the atmosphere, you feel uncomfortable and want to leave.

Then imagine going to a home, perhaps even to a very small building or apartment where the furnishings are a bit worn.  There may be some piles of books or papers on the counter.  There is a lamp on the table next to a sofa — nothing fancy.   But there to greet you is the most adorable little grandmother and her husband.  They are so happy to see you and welcome you with a smile and a warm hug.  They offer you a small plate with perhaps a butter cookie from a tin or some crackers and cheese.  They listen to your concerns and encourage you in your goals. You instantly feel comfortable and at home.  You know that you want to visit this place again.  You feel, loved, cherished and adored.

I would maintain that we as a society have spent quite a lot of money trying to create something in our homes that truly only can be created with love.  Hygge, comfort, happiness and joy are feelings that are created in quite simple ways:

Smiling

Listening

Giving of the best we have

Gentle expectations

Encouragement

Unhurried time

Simple acts of caring

Good Humor

Love

My sister used to tell me how she particularly loved going to one friend’s home for dinner.  Her friend served hot dogs for a crowd and the home was usually a bit messy.  But the warm feeling this woman knew how to create among good friends was a lovely thing.

I love the scripture from Proverbs: 

“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” (Proverbs 15:17, KJV).

Hygge is not about items, its not about what we create.  Big things are not necessary to homemaking.  Indeed, a quest for items often deprives us of precious time.  What happiness at home is truly about is the feelings we get when we are there.  Little moments that make everything worthwhile.  Smiling at a child.  A family joke that everyone’s in on.  A soccer game outside.  A simple shared meal.  Time spent talking on the couch.  A quiet reply.  Dropping everything to help out.  These simple activities performed everyday contribute to a remarkable feeling at home.  A feeling of stability, of happiness, of love.  And a feeling that can be created in no other way.