It's the simple things

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that make the biggest difference. Maybe it's a meal and hospitality provided by a friend, maybe it's a random, surprising and uplifting note sent to you...and maybe it's your husband taking your picture without you even knowing and telling the world how much he loves you.

I'm fortunate to say all of those great things happened to me this past week/weekend. 

You've probably heard the saying, "don't sweat the small stuff". While I agree, sweating the small stuff may leave us worried about things we can't control or frustrated by the seemingly insignificant. I'd argue, though, that the "small stuff" is what my generation, and younger generations, are missing. You see, we busy our lives with so many things that we only have time to notice the big things in life. Before long, you struggle to see God in the seemingly insignificant and are wondering where He is when you're not seeing the big miracles. 

I've come to a point in my life where the small stuff matters. Kindness, respect, taking time out of your day, listening, doing something 'just because', the 'go out of your way to show love' kind of thing. I think some of getting to this point is maturity. But I think some of it is due to observation (not judgement) of others and seeing what I don't want to be or seeing how I don't want to act. You know, we all have the friends who always have their hand out asking for something. I'm sure I've been there before. But take and take and take and eventually...it makes the giver struggle to give with a pure heart. (Or maybe that's just been me.)

I've been pondering my 1000 gifts and how/if I want to carry out counting to 1000. What I find keeps happening is when I'm not counting, I resort back to old habits of looking for the big stuff. When I do keep count, I am striving, searching and praying for the next thing, big or small, so I can take time and be thankful. 

So, I believe it's all about the small stuff. Most of us are not going to see someone walk on water, turn water into wine or even die and be resurrected. (visibly that is.)  So, I'm going to choose to see the small stuff for what they are...blessings. Each and every one of them. How blessed am I to have friends who would provide a meal for us? How blessed am I to receive a note with genuine care, concern and love for me? And how blessed am I that my husband, nearly 7 years after we married, still takes a moment to see his bride, see love and share that with the world?