The Little Things

The smell of jasmine, basil, kittens, the smell of cologne on my husband's neck, soft piano music in the background while I'm working, stepping into my office with the knowledge that it's mine.  These are only a few of the little things that bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. Loving the thought of getting up for work each day because after years of working for someone else, I now work for myself under God's hand.  The laughter I share with my husband and our son.  The feel of book pages in my hand when I'm reading, and not because I just love the texture of a book (though I do), but because I have the cognitive wherewithal to be able to read and learn and grow as a woman.  I have the dexterity of fingers to flip the pages. I can inhale and exhale freely, without respiratory distress.  I can  walk up and down the stairs because my legs work.  I have all of my limbs. The smell of coffee early in the morning, and the sight of my husband when he brings it to me with a heart drawn into the foam.  The list keeps growing in my mind as I intentionally fix my thoughts (Philippians 4:8) on those little things I love.  More things come to mind as I reflect, and suddenly, I can see the ocean in my mind and I'm overwhelmingly grateful that I live so close to it.  I love the scent of salt water as I walk along the pier in Oceanside.  I love the smoothness of a chocolate truffle when it melts in my mouth.  I love that when I reflect back on my life's darker places, I can see the light of God (Micah 7:8, John 1:5) in it all through hindsight.  I can hardly stop my list when I truly allow my mind to get started.  What are the "little things" for you?  Sometimes, when our life circumstances are tangibly hurtful and painted grim, we lose focus of what's good and right in our lives.  I have to intentionally choose to fix my thoughts on what I love, because if I don't, the things and people that bring shades of frustration to my heart will overshadow all of the little things for which I truly am so thankful.  What are your little things today?

In this moment, I am consciously aware of so much beauty in my life, but I assure you it's not because pain or frustration is absent.  A few details about my life would be changed for the better in an instant if I had such power, but alas, I, too, must go through the process of pruning, adapting, and growth that always precedes change.  God isn't a genie in a bottle or wand waving magician who immediately throws out some dust to incite instant transformation of our painful situations.  Some days I wish He was, but here and now I'm grateful that I get to feel the pain of growing.  The calm peace I feel today in the height of a spiritual battle is vastly different from the panicked breathing into a bag of 20 years ago.  I've learned to see pain as a training ground, endings as potentials for new beginnings, and loss as opportunity.  My husband and I recently endured a loss of fairly large proportion, and as we discussed the situation a couple of months ago, I laughed.  Why are you laughing? he asked in bewilderment.  I told him that it's because I knew God was in it and that made even the worst scenario exciting! Remember the disciples on a boat one stormy night? (Matthew 8:23-27).  The winds were violent and the rains torrential, but while the disciples panicked, Jesus slept. Terrified for their lives, they cried out to Him for rescue, and His response?  "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26).  

As I read over the entire passage,  I smile a knowing smile because I can relate to the panicked disciples, yet as I get older and walk closer with God, I can see myself starting to relate more to Jesus.  And I like it.  That doesn't mean I don't have difficult moments or days of depressed and anxious moods, but it does mean I stay in that space for less time. A few weeks ago, I hit a low.  As I slumped into my couch, I told my husband through tears that I just didn't have the will or spring in my step to help anyone that day. In that moment, I wanted to just wallow.  And I did, thank you very much. For about an hour, I lay staring at the ceiling, crying out to my Maker. I went through the whole why, God why...and then I re-focused.  The ugly crying started getting on my nerves more than it soothed my hurting heart.  I got up, brushed myself off, dried my face, and focused on the little things. 

It's not easy, friends. When you're in the trenches, you're rarely able to see the flowers, but know this - your valley is fertile ground for growth.  Don't forget Joseph, who at the later stages of his life was second in command over Egypt, but man oh man, that climb out of the pit.  What do you suppose he focused on while he sat as a prisoner in the dungeon below? Think he ever had a pity party?  Who would blame him if he did?  He'd been sold by family, falsely accused of rape, forgotten by the cupbearers, and left alone by everyone.  Well, everyone except God, and guess what?  God is with you too (Matthew 28:20) on your dark nights. He sees your tears, He hears you cry out for rescue, and He knows your exact day of deliverance, so hang in there, and while you wait for rescue amidst problems too large to solve, remember to focus on the little things...

For your re-focusing pleasure, click the video below and listen closely