Issuu

This Moment Matters

© 2026 Text and illustrations by Ruth Chou Simons All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published by Thomas Nelson, 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Author is represented by Jenni Burke of Illuminate Literary Agency, www.illuminateliterary.com. Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked niv are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www. zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.® Any internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by Thomas Nelson, nor does Thomas Nelson vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book. ISBN 978-1-4002-4443-0 (HC) ISBN 978-1-4002-4444-7 (eBook) Without limiting the exclusive rights of any author, contributor or the publisher of this publication, any unauthorized use of this publication to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is expressly prohibited. HarperCollins also exercise their rights under Article 4(3) of the Digital Single Market Directive 2019/790 and expressly reserve this publication from the text and data mining exception. HarperCollins Publishers, Macken House, 39/40 Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C9W8, Ireland (https:// www.harpercollins.com) Art direction: Tiffany Forrester Cover and interior design: Janelle Coury Cover photo: Niki Bryant Photography Interior Photos: Camille Davis, Liam Simons, Cole Davis Photography, Meshali Mitchell Photography Printed in India 26 27 28 29 30 REP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Contents Introduction ��9

LO O KING TO J ESUS

CULTIVATI NG DELI G HT

1 Live Coram Deo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

22 Do What Brings You Joy . . . . . . . 56

2 A Coram Deo Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . 15

23 Make Time for Tea. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

3 Let the Word Dwell in You Richly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

24 Elevate Your Teatime . . . . . . . . . . 60

4 Rehearse the Truth. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 5 Scriptures to Preach to Yourself. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 6 Look Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 7 Use Liturgies for Worship . . . . . . 26 8 Pray a Midday Liturgy. . . . . . . . . . 27 9 Practice Breath Prayers. . . . . . . . 29 10 Pray Scripture Breath Prayers. . . 30 11 Sow What You Want to Grow. . . 32 12 Wildflower Prayers. . . . . . . . . . . . 37 13 Read Your Bible (Even When It’s Not Convenient). . . . . . . . . . . 38 14 Memorize Scripture. . . . . . . . . . . 41 15 Create a Scripture Memory Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 16 Number Your Days. . . . . . . . . . . . 45 17 Embrace Weakness . . . . . . . . . . . 46 18 Cultivate Humility. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

25 Celebrate Small Wins. . . . . . . . . . 62 26 Celebration Checklist. . . . . . . . . . 63 27 Embrace Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 28 Seriously, Go Play!. . . . . . . . . . . . 65 29 Make Space for Creativity. . . . . . 67 30 Experience Creation. . . . . . . . . . . 68 31 Utilize Your Senses. . . . . . . . . . . . 69 32 Be Ready for Adventure . . . . . . . 70 33 Grow Things. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 34 A Few of My Favorite Houseplants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 35 Paint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 36 Paint a Wildflower Bouquet. . . . . 75 37 Start a Pressed-Flower Journal. . 79 38 Make a Terrarium . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 39 Say Yes When You Want to Say No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 40 Make Art on the Go. . . . . . . . . . . 87

19 Practice Gratitude . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 20 Keep a Gratitude Checklist. . . . . 51 21 Be Faithful with Small Acts. . . . . 52

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EMB R AC ING S IMP L ICIT Y

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

41 Know Your Why. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

55 Understand What Balance Really Means. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

42 Embrace Your Limitations. . . . . . 95 43 Three Ways to Embrace Your Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 44 Create Margin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 45 Declutter Your Heart. . . . . . . . . 100 46 Declutter Your Home. . . . . . . . . 101 47 Make Time for Simple Pleasures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 48 Get Creative and Simplify Your Existing Wardrobe. . . . . . . 106 49 Find Your Best Fashion Proportions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 50 What to Wear for Your Shape. . 108 51 Style Your Favorite Button-Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 52 Consider a Capsule Wardrobe. . 112

56 Establish Social Media Guardrails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 57 Embrace Silence and Solitude. . 125 58 Schedule Silence and Solitude . 126 59 Find a Mentor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 60 Determine Your Nonnegotiables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 61 Create a Peaceful Morning Routine. . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 62 Create a Soothing Evening Routine. . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 63 Get Some Rest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 64 Establish Healthy Technology Habits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 65 Make Your Bed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

53 Choose a Signature Accessory. . 113

66 Use the Two-Part “Get Ready Every Day” Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

54 Take the Guesswork Out of Gift-Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

67 Go for a Walk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

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CR EATING A HAVE N

INVESTING IN YOUR PE OPL E

68 Maximize the Home You Already Have. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

84 Have Intentional Conversations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

69 Create a Quiet Time Prayer Nook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

85 Embrace Vulnerability . . . . . . . . 194

70 Style Your Coffee Table . . . . . . . 157 71 Create Grocery Store Flower Arrangements. . . . . . . . . 160 72 Use Your Bookshelf to Tell a Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 73 Create a Tablescape. . . . . . . . . . 167 74 Get Everyone Involved with Bowl Dinners. . . . . . . . . . . . 168 75 Make My Favorite Bulgogi-Inspired Bowls. . . . . . . . 171 76 Host Brunch on a Board . . . . . . 172 77 Gather Around a Campfire. . . . 175 78 Have a Cajun Boil. . . . . . . . . . . . 176 79 Cook at the Table Together. . . . 179 80 Have a Hot Pot Dinner . . . . . . . 180 81 Celebrate Happy Hour with Chips and Salsa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 82 My Favorite Salsa Recipes. . . . . 184 83 Engage the Senses. . . . . . . . . . . 188

86 Welcome Interruptions . . . . . . . 196 87 Ask Good Questions . . . . . . . . . 197 88 Use a Tower of Power. . . . . . . . . 199 89 Establish a Family Discipleship Rhythm. . . . . . . . . 200 90 Look Your Kids in the Eye . . . . 203 91 Cook with Your Kids. . . . . . . . . 204 92 Document Family Adventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 93 Date Your Spouse. . . . . . . . . . . 208 94 Make Your Own Date-Night Charcuterie. . . . . 209 95 Cultivate Unity in Your Marriage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 96 Ten Ways to Grow in Unity Within Your Marriage. . . . . 211 97 Be an Unexpected Blessing. . . . 213 98 Interview Your Parents. . . . . . . . 214 99 Build a Legacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 100 Live a Spirit-Filled Life. . . . . . . . 218

Notes ��221 About the Author �� 224

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CU LT IVAT IN G DE L IG H T In John 10:10, Jesus told us that he came that we may have life and have it abundantly, life to the full. I don’t think he meant just when we get to heaven—I think he wants us to have tastes of that abundant life here on earth. Abundant life from Jesus doesn’t sound like the drudgery, stress, and overwhelm we can so easily let ourselves slip into. It sounds like joy . . . like savoring our moments and intentionally cultivating delight. To do these things, it’s helpful to home in on our God-given desires, likes, and gifts. Whether you, too, love to paint or you’re more comfortable strumming a guitar, I hope the following ideas will spark inspiration for joy and creativity in your life.

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22 Do What Brings You Joy When was the last time you asked yourself, How has God wired me to experience delight? That may seem silly and impractical for those of us busy tackling our to-do lists and responsibilities, but God created us to have a whole range of emotions, including delight. Our joy and delight in hobbies, experiences, endeavors, and even people are gifts from God and are meant to be the ways in which we encounter and taste God’s goodness. So, ask yourself some questions:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,. Colossians 3:23 NI V

What feels refreshing to me?

* What always causes me to smile? * What do I value—even in small quantities? * What scents, sounds, or experiences move me * emotionally? Feel peaceful? Make me energetic?

What can I not stop telling others about?

Discovering what brings you joy is a way to be on the lookout for how to include more opportunities for delight in your life. But what about all the things we don’t enjoy doing? Consider Paul’s words: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an 56 T H I S M O M E N T M AT T E R S

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inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23– 24 niv) Friend, once we understand what brings delight, we can anticipate and combat the discouragement we feel with things that help us thrive. Do you struggle to do dishes, but the smell of lavender evokes good memories and peaceful feelings for you? Try lighting a lavender candle or diffusing lavender essential oil while dealing with a messy kitchen. Do you feel depleted sitting at your desk for work all day but come alive on a hike with friends? Invite a friend to take walks with you over the lunch hour. Are there songs that put a spring in your step and gratitude in your heart? Create a playlist for your day that strategically places those songs at times when you might feel the most down and discouraged. Pay attention! Don’t dismiss what makes your heart sing, what makes you come alive, or what causes a twinkle in your eye. God made you unique . . . even in all the ways that bring you joy. And joy is not a luxury.

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27 Embrace Play God didn’t have to create us with delight—in the smell of freshbaked cookies, in the wonder of seeing the ocean for the first time, in a masterfully orchestrated piece of music, in the cherry blossoms that signal spring. God didn’t have to, but he did. But somewhere in the middle of paying a mortgage, building a career, raising children, and embracing responsibilities, we sometimes lose sight of everyday delight. Including how to play and keep wonder alive. What came so naturally in our youth turns unimaginative as we meet life’s challenges. Play can feel superfluous, unproductive, and even perhaps wasteful in a schedule packed with meetings and measurable successes. Unlike playing sports or playing an instrument, playing is simply for the enjoyment of it, not to develop a skill, grow in a hobby, or even spend time with others. To play is to engage with simple outlets for curiosity, joy, and delight. The greatest outcome of play is not measurable but is truly meaningful. Have you noticed any grandmothers in your life who have embraced this? Women who have raised children, managed households, had careers (and might still be doing all those things), but you hand them a grandbaby, and they immediately know how to play. They know time is precious and moves so quickly, and they can suddenly drop their to-do lists to be present and play. Whatever stage of life you’re in, how can you play today?

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28 Seriously, Go Play! Is anyone else besides me so committed to your lists and commitments that you need an actual list to play? If this is you too, feel free to follow lists, ask your family for ideas, and schedule play on your calendar. PL AY BUCKET LIST 1. Make creations with modeling clay or air-dry clay. 2. Have a picnic at the park. 3. Put a puzzle together. 4. Blow bubbles. 5. Literally play a game with your kids! Dust off those board games. 6. Have a water-gun fight. 7. Dance at home. 8. Play “Name That Tune.” 9. Pick flowers (where allowed!). 10. Run through a sprinkler in the summertime. 11. Stargaze on a dark night. 12. Eat whipped cream. 13. Sit still and listen to the sounds in a forest. 14. Play hide-and-seek. 15. Color a picture. C u lti vatin g D eli g ht

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29 Make Space for Creativity Whether you consider yourself creative or not, let me remind you: You were created by a creative God. And as an image bearer who reflects him, you have a unique way of reflecting his creativity. You’re the only person who has your point of view. So, tell your story with the gift of your unique perspective. Whether it’s through paint, food, music, words, dance, hospitality, or something else, make space to grow and be creative in that area. Creativity has a way of expanding with you, but it won’t develop on its own. And with all the things vying for our attention, it’s easy for creative endeavors or perspective to shrivel up or be cast to the side. Here are five simple rules I keep in mind for sustaining creativity in my life. RHY THMS FOR SUSTAINABLE CREATIVIT Y 1. Limit content consumption on social media and the internet. Constantly viewing other people doing creative work has a way of stifling your own or

causing you to feel less inspired to live your own life. 2. Curate what you consume and who you follow. Carefully choose what voices or visual forms of inspiration you pay attention to. The content, voices, and images you consume influence the way you think, what you aim for, and how you perceive your own gifts and talents. What you consume impacts who you grow to become. 3. Be influenced by God’s handiwork in nature. Let the greatest form of creativity—God’s creative work—inspire you! 4. Rest. Rest is productive. So often you come back refreshed or with new ideas you hadn’t thought of before. 5. Create for the joy of it. Again, play more! Make space for creativity simply for the joy of growing in the process and the practice of it. It doesn’t always have to be for the production of a finished product or to sell or to showcase. Enjoy being creative for how it grows you.

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30 Experience Creation I’m a big fan of getting outside to experience creation. It’s one of the best ways for me to rest, to reset my soul, and to be in awe of something I had nothing to do with. Whether it’s a sunset, a sunrise, or a long walk, seeing and choosing to be in awe of the created world always feels like a gift when I make time for it. I’ve never watched a sunset and later thought, That was a waste of time. I wish I’d been scrolling on my phone. In Romans 1:20, the apostle Paul put it this way: “For [God’s] invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” Want to experience the power of God? Go for a walk. Want to see the invisible God? Go for a walk. Want to understand God’s divine nature? Go for a walk. Make time to go for a long walk—either in your own neighborhood or farther afield—to experience the beauty of God’s creation through as many senses as you can. And pay attention!

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