Rejoicing over a little thing

Both Anne and Jase entered looking expectantly at me.

That expression which hovers between anticipation and “knowing something she doesn’t know” was all over them.

I looked up and raised my eyebrows.

“Yes?”

“Jase found something!” Anne’s voice was full of pleasure.

I looked at him.

“Here!” He reached out and placed a brand new egg in my hands.

All three of us cheered like our team won a State title!

I took a picture of it and texted my husband.

With the tag line: “Jesus heard you, yesterday.”

(For just last night, as he was helping me shut up the coop, he stated he was getting a bit weary of waiting for our chickens to start laying.)

My husband responded to my text with joyful comments and questions as to when and where it was discovered.

His last text read: “So funny I could be so happy about an egg!”

Which were my exact words to our oldest daughter, when I related the occasion over the phone.

Yet, why shouldn’t we be excited?

What’s wrong with rejoicing over the gift of our chickens and the egg?

Yes, it’s a little thing, but God gave us this little thing.

I think it’s right to thank Him for it, and be excited about it.

For if we wait to praise Him for only the big things will we ever?

Is it not in life’s little things, the day-to-day blessings, where we get a much clearer understanding of the goodness of God and His continual care?

Thus, I expect to praise God for eggs, chickens, veggies from the garden, rabbits, sheep, goats, sunsets, family, friends, flowers, good books, home cooked food, warm blankets, clothes, the beauty around us,…for all these good things are gifts from Him.

And His faithfulness and love are worth recognizing and rejoicing over.

Psalm 55:22 KJV — Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

He has definitely been sustaining us.

And I’m so thankful.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this gift of an egg. We are so blessed to be able to see the outcome of our toil in this tiny package. Lord, thank You for the joy we experienced, just in a small thing. Please help us never to grow callous to Your blessings nor forgetful of Your faithfulness. Lord, You sustain us daily, just the beating of our hearts and the breath in our lungs is testimony to Your gifts. Lord, please continue to show us how to rejoice over the small things. How to find peace through Your promises. How to rest in Your salvation and yet still be diligent servants, faithful in the tasks at hand. Lord, I praise Your holy name! Thank You! Amen.

Everyday gratitude

As I walked outside yesterday, I was greeted with a beautiful morning.

“Lord, thank You for such a beautiful morning!”

The lamb gets her bottle first.

“Thank You, Jesus for our beautiful lamb. We love her so much!”

Next, I head to the chicken run and opened the door of the coop, allowing them access outside.

They were faster than I and began pecking at the ground near the gate.

I realized what drew their attention was freshly turned earth.

It was evidence of a small animal which dug itself under the run.

Since nothing was nearby now, I concluded the animal didn’t get the chicken dinner it was hoping for and left.

“Lord, thank You for this coop which keeps our hens safe.”

I filled in the hole and went to do the rabbits.

The cages needed cleaning and after getting out the old I was on my way to get fresh grass hay when my husband came walking down.

I changed course and headed to meet him.

After kissing me “Good morning” he wrapped his arms around me and quoted:

” She also rises while it is yet night,…”

My heart was deeply touched by his choice of words, for he knows I yearn to be a virtuous wife.

And these little blessings, sprinkled across my day, like colorful confetti candy across a chocolate donut, have brought me to such a place of gratitude.

Not everything has been easy.

Three of my husband’s co-workers are facing the loss of a loved one.

They are in my prayers.

I had an hour of frustration.

After multiple websites, two emails and three phone calls I finally got to leave a message for the person I need to get in touch with.

A bit of miscommunication and an opportunity to stretch in the patience department came my way.

Yet, as I’ve walked through the day, a grateful heart permeated my perspective.

It’s a gift from God.

I think it’s what Paul meant when he penned these words through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV — In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I’m praising the Lord for yesterday and choosing to fill my thoughts with gratitude again today.

I pray you are able to as well.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word which teaches me to be thankful. Lord, thank You for Your truth, which makes sense of the world around me. Lord, thank You for Your salvation, which provides me security and rest as I wait upon You for Your will each day. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love and how gracious You are. Lord, thank You for being perfect, righteous, and good. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Just thankful

Colossians 3:15 KJV — And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Looking backwards, this verse is what my week required.

Although, I wasn’t successful in walking in peace every moment, it was certainly an opportunity to learn to be at peace and simply be thankful.

Because it’s been a challenging week.

I had a migraine from Friday evening through Monday and spent most of Monday in bed.

I was so thankful to God that I was still able to teach Jase homeschool, even though I wasn’t able to get up and do stuff.

Tuesday and Wednesday I felt so much better, but the rest of the family was struggling with illness.

Thankfully, we were able to just remain at home and rest.

Yesterday, everyone was feeling better, but it was my most challenging day.

For some reason I couldn’t get things done without interruptions and I struggled with feeling frustrated and stressed.

By dinner time I’d lost my voice and had to content myself with just resting.

Thankfully, God provided exactly what I needed, through my gracious family.

As we finish out the work week and the homeschooling for this week, I’m praising God for His faithfulness and provision.

Because the biggest test of our peace and thankfulness was the news that the house sale might not go through.

My husband and I talked and prayed and gave it to the Lord.

We acted upon the direction we felt God was leading and put it in His hands.

I specifically asked the Lord to not allow this move if it wasn’t His will, although we were looking forward to this opportunity, because we never want to be outside His leading.

Yesterday, as my husband drove home from work, he let me know God had answered and the sale should go through without any further issues.

We are very thankful.

And I have joy in knowing whatever the future holds we can “let the peace of God rule” in our hearts.

Psalm 100:1-5 NKJV — A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Dear Lord Jesus,

How great is Your faithfulness! Your mercy and grace are amazing! Lord, thank You for loving us so much. Lord, whether in need or with abundance You are there. Whether we are healthy or sick, You are there. Whether we are celebrating or mourning, You are there. Thank You. Thank You for providing Your Word and Your salvation. Lord, thank You for being all we have ever needed and walking with us daily. Lord, Your name is great and greatly to be praised. We thank You for all Your wonderous works, both the seen and the unseen. May our lives bring glory to Your name, Jesus. Amen.