Give Thanks For The Little Things.....

"The still small voice of gratitude."

Gray - For Music St. 5.

Dear readers, we are fast approaching Thanksgiving and Miss Sandy's heart has been touched with gratitude lately for the small things in life. So often I am grateful for the big things or the obvious things, so much so that I may overlook the little things. I think I take too many things in life for granted. I've spent much time thinking and praying upon this. I asked that I have fresh vision and heightened awareness of the small blessings in life.

Well, Scripture says, ask and ye shall receive, and receive I did this very morning. I was loading my dishwasher with a few stray dishes from last night and in a row were three small cups, all of which had been held in the little hands of gorgeous grandson. Tears welled up in my eyes at the sight of them. I just felt so overwhelmingly grateful for that little life but more than that for those little hands, being able to watch them explore and learn new skills, watching them marvel at God's creation as they probe and discover.

Just yesterday he and I went outside and like always Hannah had her camera ready to capture all his cuteness. I watched him pick up a fallen leaf.....

and feel the texture of it in his little hand, fingers flexing over the surface, he curled his little digits around it and gave it a squeeze, then he released it and watched it flutter back down to the ground. Next he found a small stick and he held it in his little fist and fluttered it around like he was twirling a baton, after closely examining it, he decided to taste it, but Hannah spoiled his fun. Since it was no good to eat it was quickly discarded.

On the deck he spied some tiny acorns wedged in between the wooden decking. Down he squatted and one tiny finger poked at them.....and a little thumb came to help in grasping them from the crack. He held them so close to his face that his eyes crossed and then he gave them a toss.

He discovered some small colorful pebbles.....
in the bottom of a container I use to put candles in. In went the little hand closely followed by the whole little arm, a few finger flexes followed as they felt of the smooth stones, then they clutched and drew forth a handful that were promptly released in a tiny shower upon the table top where they were examined, touched, and one by one put back into the container.

A flash of red caught his eye and he dashes over to the huge potted plant only to pluck a flower.....
and then try to put it back. Out in the yard tree bark was touched, little palms whisked over blades of grass..... Little feet scuffed through gravel and crunched dry leaves.....A tiny head was tilted back as the sky and tree tops were studied......A curious little look crossed an angelic face, head cocked as if trying to figure out what the wind was as it ruffled wisps of his hair and kissed his cherub cheeks. A music sweet to Hannah's ears sounded forth from his lips as he laughed..... at leaves raining down upon him. He saw, heard, felt, savored, and yes even tried to taste every little thing around him. He didn't miss a thing.

I sat thinking over all this and I thought, Lord, that's what I want, to not miss a thing no matter how small and to be grateful for it. I thought of how long it has been since I expressed gratitude for my senses. The ability to see which enables me to drink in the sight of this beautiful little boy. The gift of hearing that enables me to delight in his laughter. The ability to breathe in his sweet little boy scent when I hold him close. The blessing of being able bodied to feel and touch as a little hand holds onto mine. How long has it been since I have savored all the small flavors in life? Perhaps it is because I am no longer new to this life that I overlook the little things and perhaps that is why God gives us new little lives to remind us to wonder, marvel, and to be ever observant and grateful.

Tiny hands and tiny feet,

Little lips that smile so sweet,

Bright blue eyes that sparkle and shine,

Oh Father, I'm so glad he's mine!

A little life to behold,

Through his eyes I watch the world unfold,

A gentle reminder to THANKFUL be,

for ALL THE LITTLE THINGS just as precious as he!

My prayer for you, dear readers, is that you too will rediscover the childlike wonder of all God's blessings anew. I hope that each of you will have fresh vision for whatever little thing you may have overlooked and that you would be filled with wonder, awe, and gratitude for the simple abundance that surrounds you.

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

"Giving thanks always for all things..." Ephesians 5:20