Daily Devotional

I loved our new apartment as newlyweds. Yes, it was humble, covered with thread-bare carpet and dingy walls. But we were grateful. Our furniture was either handmade or second-hand. Decorations were scarce and simple. Nevertheless, our apartment was our happy place because we were together. Besides, we even had a window with a view:

Across the street was one of the fanciest, expensive restaurants in the area. My husband and I could only dream of the delectable dishes offered there. We certainly did not have money nor the correct attire to go to such a place. At the entrance the guests boarded a cable car that took them down the hill to the restaurant on the river’s edge.

At times we gazed out our big window that looked down on the well-dressed people coming and going. Late in the night loud noises often drew us back to our window to witness people exiting the restaurant. The rowdy and sometimes tipsy people walked to their cars after a night of partying. It surprised us to hear people come out of that beautiful  restaurant arguing with each other! Apparently, the expensive dinner in such a gorgeous setting had not guaranteed their happiness.

Jim and I would sit across from each other eating our simple meal—often macaroni and  cheese. No regrets! We would much rather be at our well-worn kitchen table than at that  fancy restaurant. Our happiness didn’t lie in fancy clothes or delectable meals. Our love  was more than enough! Besides, after fifty years, we still love macaroni and cheese.  Now  we can even afford to add chicken!

Proverbs 15:17 “Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred  with it.”