Joy A. Mead

Being a typical weekday, I had errands to complete: picking up a handful of items at the grocery store, purchasing some stationery for the children, dropping off a bag of donations to the charity (thrift) shop, and returning some library books.

In many ways, it was an ordinary, routine morning, but I was thankful for the time to complete these tasks during the week and not have to drag the children out with me over the weekend. I found nearly everything I was looking for with a few extra surprises to brighten my day. 

While at the grocery store, I spotted a cute little plant with small, reddish pink flowers which was a perfect replacement for the empty pot on the mantelpiece. Keeping houseplants alive is not my specialty, and this is the second replacement for this particular pot! Still, I am determined to successfully look after this new houseplant and one other plant which has survived since the summer!

At the charity shop, I donated some items recently cleared out and then I had a browse around just to see what was there. I spotted a lovely trio candlestick perfect for our dining room and a glass vase for my daughter to use with her Lego floral bouquet. 

It’s not that I had to have or even deliberately went looking for the little plant, candlestick, and flower vase, but sometimes it is so nice when God allows me to find a few items that help continue to make our house feel like home. These were my recent little blessings. 

In addition to the items, I was equally blessed with good conversation with the ladies running the till (cash register). And even at the library, I ended up in a nice chat with two lovely librarians. Sometimes, little blessings are tangible things and sometimes they are intangible, like stopping to talk and smile to a few shopkeepers and librarians. 

There are so many little blessings all around us each day if only we will hold gratitude in our hearts and be observant to God’s presence in our lives. The squeezy cuddle with your kids, the warmth of saying, “I love you!” to your spouse, food to cook in the refrigerator, a cosy pillow, an hour of free time, a strong cup of tea, seeing flower bulbs trying to emerge early are just some of the many blessings encountered regularly. 

What are your little blessings today? Look around and find that God is right there waiting for you to notice, with so many things we can thank him for. 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”—1 Chronicles 16:34

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:18