Great joy is often birthed from life’s littlest pleasures.
Flour dusted on button noses. Teaspoons of batter filling a mini-donut maker. Tiny tongues licking frosting-covered fingertips. Nibbles. Smiles. Sticky kisses.
Misplaced syllables from a tired mother’s mouth making the words “Dotty/Dadder Date” instead of saying “Daddy/Daughter Date.” Giggles. Tickles. Hugs.
A creative 8-year-old planning a party complete with homemade games and prizes to honor her favorite animal … the platypus. Heart tugs. Applause. High-fives.
Over the past few weeks, stolen moments of fun and sweetness like the ones mentioned above held my heart captive and turned the corners of my mouth upward.
They weren’t milestones or “big deals,” so to speak … but they were moments that mattered. Little moments that add beauty. Little moments for which I am thankful.
I have found that the more time I take to bask in simple pleasures and to give thanks for the seemingly ordinary, the richer my life becomes … or rather, the more equipped I am to understand and appreciate the riches I’ve been given.
What about you? What are some little things that have happened to you recently that brought big-time happiness?
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Kelli says
My 18 month old is so expressive and FUNNY! She was an IVF gift, the youngest of 4 girls and our last, so every moment makes my heart sing!
sonika says
A let-me-take-care-of-you hug from someone who genuinely cares.
Angela says
Moments like that truly hit the spot!
Heather says
My 2 and 4 year old babes love to dance, and watching them get their groove on is so much fun for me (as well as gives me a good bit of exercise!). My 2 year old has recently started doing a splendid interpretation of the elaine dance from Seinfeld.
Trish says
A four generation picture with my 85 year old young grandmother, my father, and my boys.
kim Johnston says
Sitting in the hospital with my 91 year old grandma and realizing what life is really all about. Holding on to the ones you love and cherishing every moment, because life is so fragile. I am truly grateful for all of the years I have gotten to spend with her. She has been a blessing to our family and showed us what real love looks like!!
Angela says
So, so beautiful. I know it must be a bittersweet moment for you, but am so thankful that God has given you this time to spend with your grandma
Paula Smenkowski says
My husband was trying to encourage my son Austin after a tough day at high school. Austin turned to his dad and quoted “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified,; Do not be discouraged, For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 wow, what a change from last year when Austin was struggling with “Is there really a God”? So very thankful that God is so patient and loving and faithful to my teenage son. It definitely gave this mother something to write about in her thanksgiving journal.
Angela says
That was a true WOW moment!
Jennifer (keltrinswife) says
My 2y/o son likes to snuggle sometimes and listen to hymns while we rock. Bliss
Be blessed:)
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LaDonna says
I only have two out of seven left at home now, but I remember mixing up entire words. One I will never live down when I was tired and trying to get everyone in bed years agi was “Go brush your teeth and get in the toilet.” My kids love to laugh about my communication issues when tired and/or rushed. lol
Shari Grayczyk says
“Both of my daughters visiting me daily in my office on their college campus. Talking and encouraging each other.
“Having a few girls over for my daughter’s 21st birthday dinner, making a craft together and laughing until our sides hurt.
“Spending the day with my boyfriend, who took the entire day off of work just to spend it with me because he has been so very busy lately.
“My kids throwing me a 50th birthday party last week. Such fun and laughter with friends and family and the knowing that my kids love me enough to go to all that trouble just for me.
“Hearing my 17, 19 and 21 year olds say, ‘Mom, I’m so glad you homeschooled me,’ when sometimes I would doubt.
“Hearing my son ask me questions about the Book of Revelation, my daughters about the elections and it’s spiritual ramifications.
I love these parts of this life. God is so very good.
Gwen says
About the book for a high school girl, would it be good for a girl who has no spiritual background yet is interested, just graduated in June but hasn’t started college yet…or is she too old for this?
Pinksmack.com says
This is Timely in Our Current World…with things around us getting harder to obtain and all the craziness going on around us…Basking in the simple things that we usually take for granted is the key to Happiness and Contentment.
Danette @ All My Love for All My Days says
… but they were moments that mattered. Little moments that add beauty. Little moments for which I am thankful…
This was beautiful.
Jill says
You asked for simple things and this is a giant thing
but I wanted to share anyway.
Last week I realized, well God showed me, that my mom loves me.
I am 55 years old!
I have been going around laughing and crying ever since!
Such a gift!
Angela says
Oh Jill! How wonderful! Thank you for sharing such a “giant” life-changing moment with us.
Laureen Brackin says
These “little moments” (I guess is the best thing to call them), made me realize/wonder as a mom very early on, if maybe Mary also had these moments. I recalled in scripture some of the big moments where she kept these things in her heart and pondered them.
I found myself feeling the same way about some of these smaller things with my 2 daughters. Maybe I just didn’t want to forget these precious moments, so I did what Mary did, but she did also raise a divinely human son, who I believe must have given her some “little moments” as well.
Lizzy says
Yesterday Mr 4 informed me that God was in his tummy. So there I was a puddle – all melted on the floor 😉
Sabrina says
I bit the bullet and paid someone to come clean my house…so, so grateful for the uninterrupted time I got to spend with my 3 little ones during that time! And the next day, we had an amazing day playing, crafting, reading, dancing…because the house was taken care of the day before.
Saundra says
I just saw a shooting star 🙂
Christy Fitzwater says
This is encouraging. Sometimes I get in a bad routine of lecturing my son about everything he doesn’t do right -chores not done, running late to school… It’s weird that I would need a reminder to just stop and enjoy who he is and be thankful for the little things. Thank you for this.
Jennifer says
I would say the beauty of the moment when I was able to help my 11 year old to see the value of keeping our eyes open for the little things God blesses us with.
Karin Krog says
During the afternoon yesterday, grandson Charlie and I participated in his rendition of cooking while using his play food and microwave. At one point, he walked across the living room with one hand under an imaginary spoonful of soup, which had been stirred with a plastic corncob. After asking me to taste his creation, I opened my mouth and he tipped in the tiny spoon. As I commented on the flavor with a hmm…that even Campbell’s would be proud, he gently cupped the side of the spoon against my chin to catch the imaginary drips. How do you spell precious?
Beth Williams says
Simple things are the bread of life for me. I love sitting quietly with my hubby no tv or phone.
Other simplicities include:
Going for a walk & seeing the magnificent beauty of Smoky mountains & the fall colors
listening to music,
hearing good music at church
Nothing special–just basic quiet moments alone with hubby and God!
Nancy Ruegg says
‘Love the line about the riches we enjoy while basking in simple pleasures and giving thanks. My list would include: 1) Laughter among friends. 2) Music that lifts and calms my spirit. 3) Kindness and cheerfulness–just when I needed it. My prayer is that I, too, may invest kindness and cheerfulness in others. Enriching the lives of those around me is another simple pleasure!