Everyday Beauty

Do you ever forget to see the joy and beauty in the little things in your life? I know I certainly do!

Even today as I sit here typing I think how my morning started off as a "Jonah Day" {you Avonlea-gals know about those}: the oatmeal I made was more like glue and bubbled over, and then it turned out we were out of brown sugar. I needed to get some dinner in the crockpot quickly because we'd be out all day, the dishes were piled in the sink, the skirt I was trying to put elastic in gave me a world of trouble and I will have to do it again...you get the picture. Let's just say it was not one of my finer moments.

I received a strong reminder when I reached the library and found this post waiting for me...

I found this lovely long-forgotten image on my computer about a week ago. It resides as my desktop wallpaper at present – a “beautiful” reminder for me whenever I'm on.

Next I read this blog post of another woman with her own difficult set of circumstances that could easily give her reason to complain. It was this article that inspired me to set a challenge for myself; each time I complain, I must find (at least) one thing that is the opposite of my complaint– one joyful, blessed reason to thank the Lord. It is far from easy to do, and I forget to stop and think of a good reason for the bad sometimes, but it's been good practice for my bad habit.

When the pantry is almost empty: the Lord provided manna for today, and yesterday, so I can trust Him for tomorrow.

When the chores pile up: At least a mountain of dirty dishes shows that God supplied food for my family to eat today.

When I am lonely or feeling unsure of my future: I am God's princess and He chose me and He will always be with me no matter what I'm feeling or what tomorrow holds.

The final was reading through the second half of my friend Sarah's latest published book, Adventures in Adversities. Funny how God can use fiction for His glory and for “instruction in righteousness” sometimes, isn't it? Though the character's circumstances are far from what my own are, she too had many reasons to complain, and yet chose to find the good in each difficulty. It's a lot like letting go; surrendering our will and our feelings of pain in this moment, and looking beyond them to see God's grace to us even in times of sorrow.

Like the Anne-girl I'm reminded that “...The sorrows God sent us brought comfort and strength with them, while the sorrows we brought on ourselves, through folly or wickedness, were by far the hardest to bear...”

We can easily make a difficult situation worse with a bad attitude. Perhaps my burdens would be all the easier to bear if I stopped focusing on the trials and remembered to see the beautiful and joyful things God has placed in my life even alongside, or through, the grievace ones. 

Stop focusing on the troubling, discouraging things in this life and instead remember to look for the good even amongst the bad, because God gives us a little of His beauty and grace for every day.