Ellen and I were driving toward home when we made an important decision. Prior to that decisive moment, Ellen had wrestled with guilt (“I should stay”) and duty (“but I’ve got work to do at home”). Not exactly the easiest two reasons for determining life’s direction (in our case, literally).

The question was a simple one. Should we stay an additional night with Ellen’s family or return to our regular routine at home? Ellen’s mother applied the pressure to stay. Thus the tug of guilt. Ellen’s freelance work applied the pressure to go home. Thus the pull of duty.

We found a much better reason to return for one more night with family. Pleasure.

The pleasure of time with Ellen’s youngest brother, in Wisconsin only for a few days.

The pleasure of homemade pizza, our brother-in-law’s specialty (of course, anything Sandy cooks tends to be special).

The pleasure of an evening of good family conversation.

Questions: Does pleasure factor into your relationship with God and your faith decisions? Guilt, duty, or pleasure—which has the strongest pull?