Finding Heaven In Simple Things

More today from the Philokalia, Volume 3, and St. Peter of Damascus. The kingdom of heaven is right here, and the simple things in life can lead you to it.

"How witless we are when, for the sake of things that are paltry and transient, we do not aspire to receive great and eternal blessings. We reject what is good and pursue the opposite. What can be simpler than giving a glass of cold water or a piece of bread, or than refraining from one’s own desires and petty thoughts? Yet through such things the kingdom of heaven is offers up to us, by the grace of Him who said: “Behold, the kingdom of heaven is within you” Luke 17:21. For, as St. John of Damascus say, the kingdom of heaven is not far away, not outside us, but within us. Simply choose to overcome the passions, and you will possess it within you because you live accordance with God’s will."

Simple things like telling stories to my kids, and sitting alone with my wife are where I'm reminded the Kingdom of heaven is never far.