Small Things That Keep the Darkness at Bay

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 292: Today, I am grateful for the small things that keep the darkness at bay. 

"I found it is the small, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay... small acts of kindness and love." -Gandalf, The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien

I love the wisdom in this quote. It reminds us that little acts of kindness and love not only matter, they are much more powerful than we realize. Light always dispels darkness and small acts of kindness and love keep us human. We can all do those things. 

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

There will be many opportunities to show grace and love today. Small acts of kindness and love can be exactly what someone else needs to get through this day and this week. Showing up in love and kindness at just the right time is a superpower. No cape needed. 

Today, I am grateful for the small things that keep the darkness at bay. 

Seeds

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 291: Today, I am grateful for seeds.

Randy and I planned to harvest the ready zinnia blooms after church, before the birds could eat them all. There is something deeply calming about sorting through flower heads to see which are ready and which need more days in the sun. The Love of My Life and I have loved watching bees, hummingbirds, and monarchs dip into our flowers for nourishment. Our yard was a favorite stop all summer long, but now we are entering a season of transition.

I felt a quick sting of frustration seeing how many seeds the birds had already devoured from my favorite zinnias. Then, as if the Holy Spirit gently checked my attitude, my heart was directed toward the perfection of God's design. Nothing in nature goes to waste. It’s why birds don’t fret—God provides for their needs, sometimes using our flower beds to do it.

As I worked, butterflies waltzed from bloom to bloom like ballerinas, while bees hovered like toddlers bouncing to a beat only they could hear. We all shared the warm afternoon sunshine, each content in the other's company. It was a day worth savoring.

At church today, we began a series titled "Why Dirt Matters." Seeds featured prominently in the message—a fitting theme for my afternoon in the garden. On the third day of creation, God created vegetation, establishing life, order, and a pattern of resurrection and new beginnings. Hosea 10:12 resonated deeply with me:

"I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ Hosea 10:12

There are plenty of bad seeds in this world, and I know I gathered a few immature ones myself today. But our call is to focus on planting the good seeds. Hosea speaks to the hard ground of our hearts that desperately needs plowing. Though the plowing season can be uncomfortable, it prepares our hearts for the good seed to take root.

Today, I am grateful for seeds.

Footnotes

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 290: Today, I am grateful for footnotes.

I was of the generation who wrote 10-page papers that included footnotes. Some teachers/professors were specific and picky about footnotes. I dreaded them.

My first two "big girl" purchases were a camera and a typewriter with limited character memory. The typewriter allowed me to correct mistakes before they were officially on paper. It did not help me type without looking at my hands.

Still, there was grace in the time to make typing corrections without starting over, because I had a chance to review what I was putting in. Mistakes could be caught and corrected prior to the official printing. It helped me to know that what I was doing was correct. I could vet mistakes before they were officially made for the world to see. No one wanted to retype an entire page over a silly error. We could focus on the real struggle of guessing how much room was needed for the footnotes and the required formatting.

It really was a sight to see. Note cards all around, a handwritten draft, a dictionary, and a thesaurus nearby meant we were set up and ready to roll. Coffee or hot tea was kept nearby, but not close enough to risk spilling. Oh, the memories! My 19-year-old self would not believe the magic of "Google Docs" and Microsoft Word.

That memory was sparked by this short passage having three footnotes in two verses.

"The (a) friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and (b) he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will (c) pluck my feet out of the net." -Psalm 25:14-15

I feel like footnotes are a reminder to dig deeper and rest a bit on the various words that might have been selected for a passage. It is from a psalm of King David, who knew a true intimacy with God that began in childhood. As the overlooked son of Jesse, David was not called when Samuel came to identify the future king. David was tending sheep.   

I imagine David's days with the animals were often lonely. Perhaps in the fields was where his boyish conversations with God took root and flourished into intimacy, wise counsel, protection, and direction. David was not perfect, but he had a perfect God. God was his everything... his enough. The footnotes add so much depth to this scripture. 

(a)Psalm 25:14 Or counsel; or intimacy
(b)Psalm 25:14 Or And His covenant, to make them know it
(c)Psalm 25:15 Lit bring out

The footnotes add clarity and context. They help us dig deeper.

Today, I am grateful for footnotes.

Simple Things

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 289: Today, I am grateful for simple things.

"It's simple, I prefer my eggs over easy, my coffee with cream, and my love with reckless abandon." -Curly Girl

My lifelong friend, Roxanne, both love this artist. She is whimsical, colorful, mixed media, intuitive, and silly. Somehow, she hits the nail on the head for making me smile, laugh, and feel encouraged at the same time. Her art is not faith based, but it is fabulous.

The quote about "simple things" made me smile. They nailed it for me. I actually do not have a favorite way for eggs (I have thought about this often after watching "The Runaway Bride" with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.) I like them nearly every way. Eggs are so simple and versatile, too. It would be silly to choose just one preparation option. Over easy is one of my frequent choices, but so is scrambled and hard-boiled. Okay... deviled eggs would be the #1 if pushed, but does that count?

I am reminded that simple things and our favorite people are refreshing for our souls. Pass on the complicated. Enjoy the sunrise and the sunset. Laugh often. Do these things with intention.

“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.” – Proverbs 15:16

Today, I am grateful for simple things.

Image credit: This is a "Curly Girl" card that was posted on Pinterest. I linked the artist.

Doodling

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 288: Today, I am grateful for doodling.

Created in His image, we were created to create. Pablo Picasso once said that "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

Some artists have to be encouraged to remember how they were born. I truly believe all of us have creativity inside of us that is begging to be let out. Some make beautiful spreadsheets, organized closets, delicious foods, and magical gardens. Others use tools like paper, pencils, and paint. 

My sister, April, was a talented artist. I like to doodle. It is funny how satisfying it can be. Practice makes us better. Do it often enough, and you just might find yourself picking up a paintbrush, too. I think this image from Pinterest is great for grown-ups, too. 

Not every doodle has to be a work of art. It is good for the fine motor skills in the young and the young at heart. Doodling that can show up in Bible Journaling or in a simple sketchpad. I know I doodled in the margins often when I was taking notes in high school and college, often adding flourishes to written notes. Word doodles are a real thing. 

We were created to create. It does not have to be museum art. Delight in the process. 

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

 Today, I am grateful for doodling.

Joy Spotting

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 287:  Today, I am grateful for joy spotting.

"Life is what to short to let people make you feel silly about the things that bring you joy." 

Our school district has a podcast that did an episode on "joy spotting" that was really fun. Some are overwhelmed by the idea of keeping a gratitude journal. "Joy spotting" is definitely a related action. Both are intentional. Joy spotting is intentionally looking for the little things that make you smile. It is a simple exercise.

Taking a picture of little things that make you smile is one way to document joy spotting. It is noticing the shimmer of dew on a flower petal in the last days of summer. It is the way a little guy named Silas who is only 8 months old cradles the face of a favorite Uncle when he holds him in church. It is a four year old... or a thirty one year old... finding delight in a gift given (Happy Birthday to Nora & Ciara). It is sunflowers finding the sun and lighted, glittering snow globes. 

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Ephesians 5:20

Often, when I read this verse, I think of being intentional about giving thanks in the good and in the difficult seasons. Today, I am reminded that "all things" and "everything" can also be the tiny moments that make your heart smile. 

I am deeply grateful for the practice of joy spotting. 

Today, I am grateful for joy spotting.

Same God, New Day

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 286:  Today, I am grateful for the same God on a new day. 

The reminder to be strong and courageous and not afraid or discouraged because God is omnipresent is a scripture that is a favorite passage for many. I love it, too. Joshua 2:9 is an encouragement followed by a promise. You cannot go wrong with that mantra in your head. Yet, today, I was stuck by the little sign on the tree that says:

"Same God, new day." 

It is another promise we can claim anew each morning. Whatever the day might bring, His character is consistent. He does not change with the wind. We can be sure of his care and concern in the smallest details of our lives.  

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." -Malachi 3:6

Not everyday is easy, but there is a good God in every day. 

Today, I am grateful for the same God on a new day.