FIND JOY IN ORDINARY MOMENTS
Does your day start to fill up before it even begins? Do you get so busy that it’s hard to pause and take a breather? Or are you overwhelmed with information that tends to take your mind in many different directions? We are all busy with something, and it might be tempting to hurry through everything, hoping to find a break. What if instead of rushing through, we could slow down and give our full attention to whatever we are doing? What can we do along the path of life to find joy in ordinary moments?
Maybe instead of running from one thing to the next we could look for the beauty in the moment. Instead of pushing through while wishing for a long break, why not take short breaks throughout the day? Better yet, why not start your day with prayer, thanking God for a new day. Ask Him for wisdom to help you find joy in ordinary moments.
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God
—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—
and it will be given to him.
(James 1:5 CSB)
WAYS TO FIND JOY
Are you working at a desk? Take a few seconds to pause, take a deep breath, relax and notice something. Or, if your view is limited, think about something that brings you joy. Even that small moment of time can refresh you as you get back to your work.
Are you a busy mother looking after children? Stop for a moment. Lift your arms and take a deep breath, then let it out slowly. Thank God for the blessing of your children. If they are old enough, get them to breathe with you. Play I Spy and look for something that brings joy.
Are you suffering with a chronic physical or mental illness or overwhelmed by grief? Even in your pain it helps to look for joy in the smallest places. Try saying a short prayer as you breathe in and breathe out. Tell God about your pain and ask Him for comfort and peace. I have done this and He gave me peace even in the pain. Remember to thank Him and find joy in knowing that He loves you.
Are you running through life, hurrying to get everything done, thinking you can’t stop? Friend, that is a dangerous place to be. We may have obligations and people may depend on us, but we need to care for ourselves, too. Is there something of beauty you may have passed by in your rushing? It only takes a few minutes to stop, breathe deeply and notice your surroundings. Taking time to pause can work wonders. You might be surprised at how refreshed you feel after pausing to find joy in ordinary moments.
SLOW DOWN AND CAPTURE THE MOMENT
Here’s a poem I wrote in hopes to remind us to slow down and find the beauty.
Why are people running, racing on so fast through life to who knows what, never stopping to see beauty in a drop of rain? Why are people running, charging as fast as they can to get somewhere, never stopping to see beauty in a smiling face? Why are people running, moving faster through each day to reach some goal, never stopping to see beauty in a summer rose? Why are people running, hurrying through their lives? Why not stop this running? Slow your steps so you can pause to take a breath. Engage with heart and mind. Be present in the moment. Take time to watch the clouds. Feel the soft breeze on your skin, warmed by the sun. Rest along life's journey. Search for beauty on the way. ~gsw~
No matter what our path of life looks like, we can find joy in ordinary moments when the Lord is our companion. As we focus on Him through prayer and His Word, He gives us a joy that is not dependent on our circumstances – a deep down joy that nothing can take away.
You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
(Psalm 16:11 CSB)
I’m linking up with: #InspireMeMonday
Praise God for how He slows us to breathe Him in and out. I so love the Scriptures you spread throughout this post and how you share of God’s mercy meeting you. Even your post is God’s precious slowing.
Tonight, as my youngest came back down after bedtime, even after my husband had lovingly comforted her in her fears (about the war), I just so thanked God as I held her close and breathed her in and began praying for all the Mamas in the Ukraine and in neighboring countries that God would bring sweet comfort to their aching hearts. It felt like His slowing down, just as it did when I took her for a walk earlier in the day and watched her and other children soak in the sun, as I found myself praying for God to warm those queues of refugee children and Mamas waiting in the cold. Oh how much we have to be thankful for and how much need there is of God’s love and Presence. May He continue to slow us to breathe Him in and out.
Thank you, Anna. Yes, we all need God’s love and Presence. I love how you were able to pray for other Mamas and children as you watched and prayed for your own. May God be so near to those who are in danger or suffering. Blessings and love to you, dear Anna! xoxo
Anna, this is so touching and a beautiful reminder of for us all and each to slow down and breathe in.
There is peace in noticing the joys of each moment. Even when times are tough, seek Him and find joy.
Yes, Melissa, there is peace even when things are so hard. Even when we are overwhelmed we must seek Him, and we will find joy and peace no matter the circumstances. Blessings to you! xo
Gaol, I am so touched this morning as I read this beautiful prayer. Extending my hand to the One Who draws me to Him. The Breath of Heaven.
Thank you, Linda! May we all remember to reach out to the One who draws us, the One who loves us most of all – our Savior, Jesus. May you be blessed today! xo
I am trying to slow down, to pause – and just spend quality time with God – but it is so difficult, especially when I’m surrounded by go-go-goers! I am going to make it a goal today to change that! Thank you Gayle! (Thank you for your poem)
It’s really hard to slow down, isn’t it, especially when all around you everyone seems to be rushing. Thank you for stopping by, Maryleigh! I am going to try to remember to pause, too. I know we can do it! Blessings to you!
Powerful message and beautiful poem, Gayl. I like how you note to pause and take a moment to notice something. We find joy in the ordinary if we only see it as something God gave us to enjoy!
Thanks so much Karen! Yes, there are so many things God gives us to enjoy that we miss when we don’t take time to pause. Blessings to you!
Oh Gaul, what a blessed message. I so appreciate your words here.
Thank you, Paula! I am glad you were blessed. May God continue to bless you each day!
Gayl,
Your poem is so beautiful ❤️❗You are totally right❗We have so many blessings that we miss by rushing through life. I had an extraction at the oral surgeon on Thursday. My mouth is sore and I really did not feel like going to my part time job at school today. After I spent some time with the Lord this morning and had some coffee, I thought I can do this😊👍❗
I honestly really enjoyed the students today. They made me laugh, and I enjoyed my time with them. I even had the thought that I will truly miss my 8th graders next year. I also found an old journal this week. I wrote it 28 years ago😳❗ I wrote about thinking about going back to college to become an English teacher. It was so hard being an adult student, but the Lord was SO faithful. He gave me a 20 year career that I love so much. Then, after a year of being retired, he enabled me to work part time working with gifted kids in grades 7 and 8. I also work with kids from all over the world, in grades 2-12 teaching English as a Second Language. I am so grateful for this opportunity, for my dear husband, for my beautiful family, for God’s amazing creation❤️❗ As you said, Gayl, We can focus on life’s trials, our to do list etc. etc. If instead we turn our eyes to the Lord, we can see life from an entirely different perspective. God is so good🥰❗We only need to turn our eyes to Him. My heart is full, and I am grateful for His mercy and loving kindness. Life is far from perfect, but it is filled with beauty and blessings if we will only trust the Lord to show us the way❤️❗Thank you🥰❤️✝️🙏❗
Terry, thanks so much! And thank you for sharing part of your story. I don’t do very well with dentists either. I’m a chicken in that area. LOL
It’s amazing how our perspectives change when we do focus on the Lord first. He gives us the strength we need to face whatever comes, because He is with us. Amen!
There are so many things we can be thankful for even in our ordinary days if we are willing to open our eyes and see!
Blessings to you!