Finding Joy In Small Things

Finding Joy in Small Things

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

I once stayed at a small house near the beach for a week. I had imagined myself walking along a lovely stretch of sand and soaking in the beautiful sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean. What I found was entirely different: Miles of black, stinky seaweed lined the beach. I couldn’t think about the blessings and excellent things in God’s creation because my focus was on that seaweed. In fact, on the first day, I shortened my beach walk because I just couldn’t take any more of the smell. The second day, I was so frustrated because the beach crew hadn’t cleaned up the seaweed that I didn’t even notice the clear blue sky and the warmth of the sun. The next morning I went out and was annoyed that the odorous stuff was still lying on the beach for as far as I could see.

Then, a few hundred yards away I saw a father and son making a terrific sand castle, surrounded, of course, by the seaweed. But it didn’t seem to dampen their creativity and fun. I realized in that moment that I had a choice. I could let my joy be diminished by the seaweed, or I could lift my gaze in another direction. As I did, I noticed fish jumping up out of the glittering water. The sun warmed my face. My steps lightened as a cool breeze of thankfulness blew through me. The seaweed was still there. It just wasn’t taking my full attention because my focus was somewhere else.

Maybe you have some “seaweed” in your life right now: an unexpected sickness, a job loss, a difficult person or some other conflict. God wants you to look up and beyond what is obvious and to think about the things he’s put around you that are lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise, things he has given you to lighten your steps: a hummingbird outside your window, good health, a dazzling sunset, your salvation and freedom in Christ. Fix your gaze on those good things, and you’ll find renewed joy and your day redeemed, even if the “stinky seaweed” doesn’t go away.

—CHERI

Lord, grant me eyes to see the beautiful, the excellent, the things all around me that are worthy of my notice and my gratitude to you.

The heart that finds joy in small things, in all things each day is a wonderful gift.

—UNKNOWN