Joy in the Little Things

Psalm 28:7
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

Tammy and I were relaxing on the front porch swing tonight, when I asked her what she was looking forward to the most when she was released from the tight constraints of the first 100 days. We know she won't immediately go back to the way it was before she was diagnosed, but she will be allowed to slowly get back into the normal swing of things.

She brought up a few things, including driving through Shawnee Mission Park, a large park about 15 minutes from our house. It has a lake in it, lots of different kinds of trees and flowers, and some beautiful views. It's hard to imagine that such wide-open space could be that close to the city, but it is. We then decided that if she could sit on the front porch (with a mask on her face to protect her from the pollinating plants), she probably could survive a drive around a park with the windows up. Shawnee Mission Park was too far away to be able to see anything because of the impending darkness, but Antioch Park, a smaller park that's 3 minutes away, would fit the bill.

So we took a short drive around the park and watched families enjoying each other's fellowship in some of the park shelters and dreamed of the day when we could do the same with our families.

We talked about the fact that when so much of normal life gets taken away, it's the return of the simple things that brings the most joy.

What brings you joy? Is it closing that big deal, or seeing that big smile on the face of one you love? Is it attending that big event, or making an event out of a short drive? Is it buying that new car or boat, or buying some time with a loved one when they need you the most?

Our prayer for you is that you can find joy in the little things, because they all come from God.