I completely understand Wretchard’s point about enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Savor them and give thanks to God for them. There is enough pain, death, sorrow, and depression in this life for many lifetimes, and it is a grace and a blessing that simple people in Fallujah are able to afford that occasional treat of American fried chicken. It truly is the experience of simple pleasures that make life bearable and even worth celebrating. That is why, when he would eat with his friends and in strangers’ homes, Jesus would, as was customary in the Jewish culture, invoke a blessing and give thanks for the simple experience of eating and drinking with other people.

One observation from my time on the Left many years ago: only occasionally did I meet fellow ideologues who were able to enjoy and give thanks for the simple things in life. And they tended to be fellow Christians, not the hard core Leftists, who were always intense and busy and going somewhere to organize something.

When we can occasionally live in the moment we are set free.