The Little Things Bring JOY

It’s the little things, the smiles, the hugs, the swelling of a song in your heart, the awesome aromas of spices like cinnamon. For a quick fix, there is that magnificent piece of candy. In the moments of pain, all can be changed by just allowing a moment of joy. Closing your eyes and breathing deeply, taking in the beauty around us, masked not, buy a costume, but rather a neglectful eye. In our circumstance, we often forget to see the little things. The little things are so very big when we give them our attention and allow their magic. The tough big things can become so very little in our Joy.

Candy is so amazing, be it sugar or even sugar-free? It's, of course, the sweetness, right? The instant it touches our taste buds we are taken to a place of contentment. So quickly without conscience one reacts to the yum. In that immediacy, there is no thought of the calories or consequence of the indulgence. In moderation, there shouldn’t be. Candy is just one of the things with a delectable joyous boomerang to the sweetness as if to say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we are going to get to the joy, just hang in there, we can do it.”

Slamming of the senses, that smells good, what is it? Have you said this? Of course, you have. Maybe it was a sweet perfume? Perhaps a candle scented of apple pie or snickerdoodles baking in the oven that evokes a response in you? I bet a few can’t deny the swirling aroma of various coffee beans or chocolate? The lovely soothing of a nice chai tea warms some. Regardless of how the scents draw you in, they are wrapping you in warmth and comfort, as if to say, “ I get you, I see you, I am you and we are going to get to the joy, just hang in there, we can do it.”

Music finds you; at the moment just before it hits your eardrum, there may have been emotions, of chaotic craziness. Then it enters your heart and tears take hold in the most amazingly hopeful reaction occurs. You feel somehow taller, ever stronger, overwhelmingly confident, as if to say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we are going to get to the joy, just hang in there, we can do it.”

Hugs, oh no they’re gonna do it, here it comes, yep, there it is, the hug was inevitable. Now for many hugs are refused or uncomfortable, however, there are so many ways to hug. The squeeze is an absolute and at times met with retrogressive action. Regardless of how it finds you good or bad, it is a constant in our society, especially in desperate situations. When met with counterbalance it can still be okay because deep down we all need to connect. It is often difficult, but you are undeniably present in a hug. If it is recognized that the hug is hugely undesirable, then hug with your words. Inevitably, we all need to build one another up, as if to say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we are going to get to the joy just hang in there, we can do it.”

Smile, “I like smiling, smiling is my favorite!” Thank you ELF for forming this quote in our nostalgia. Seems so simple, right? Just SMILE, so why do so many forget how to? Well, I suppose it's because the world and the day-to-day negatives creep in so very languidly. Yet how quickly the frown makes itself notable. Often we don’t even notice our slippery slope to the downward turn of our expression. The heaviness steps in and takes our joy. The next time the negative attempts its prowl; look earnestly for its counterpart the simple beauty of the smile. The smile that can always be found, if nowhere in your surroundings, it can assuredly be found under the sheltering protection of your very own heart, as if to say, “I get you, I see you, I am you and we are going to get to the joy just hang in there, we can do it.”

You’re amazing; you're just as you were meant to be. It is as if, He gets you, He sees you, He knows you. You are going to get to the joy because Jesus wants you and with Him all things are possible.

Don't get hung up on the small stuff rather focus on the little things. Don't hold anything back. Remember the little things bring can bring joy. If you find Him in every little thing you will find the joy!

• Always look for the good or at least the useful in all things.
• Remember the little things, looked at in the right way, can be the joy in the storms.
• little things are always there to make you smile in the big trials of life. Often we need to clear away the clutter re-focusing, but there is always something that can make a really big, really tough thing, just a little lighter.
• Keep your sense of humor, the most horrific situations can become the funny in your future, depending on your perspective.
• Keep looking up and wait for the rainbows. They will come, sometimes it takes some time to build them, but they always come.

A lovely woman was making a soufflé and having quite a bit of trouble so she said, “please God just this once, let it be perfect, please help!” It flopped, so she tried again. Saying, “ please God let it be perfect and I will forever be yours and do whatever you ask,” and again it flopped. So one more time, she worked meticulously separating the eggs taking her time and begging, “please God, really, I will spend extra time with You and, never lose it and…” She carefully went to the oven and pulled out a masterpiece, it was amazing, and she said, Thanks anyway God, I know you were busy, I did it myself, YAY!”

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

2 Samuel 22:50 “Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.