It's the Little Things

Lately, I'm learning that noticing and giving thanks for the little things makes all the difference in my attitude. It's easy to look past all that we have to be grateful for if we don't make a point to take note of it.

So, today, on this beautiful sunshiny day, I'm thankful for mercies that are new every morning, carefree summer days, and the chance to soak up some sun while my littles frolic. Every day isn't bright and shiny, but today is, and I'll take it.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places indeed (Psalm 16:6).

What are you thankful for today?

Until next time, grace and peace.

Sometimes You Just Get a Case of the Hiccups

Hey y'all! Hope all is well in your corner of the world! We had a wonderful holiday with our family, but now I'm just looking forward to getting back into our routine. I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for a good routine. With the shop launch and all the changes going on in my work life, it's been a while since I've shared anything personal. But y'all. I just can't hold this one back.

Sunday night was the Hanging of the Green at our church, and all the children's choirs performed. My big girl had her very first solo, and she was so excited. She's been singing the song so much over the past few weeks that her 3-year-old sister knows it just as well. We'd been looking forward to the performance, and apparently, so had everyone else. The sanctuary was packed.

But y'all. The poor little thing hiccuped her way through the whole entire solo. Literally. It was both precious and hilarious, and I was so proud of the way she pushed through. 

See? Is that not one of the cutest things you've ever seen?? She handled it so well, but I'm afraid that if I had been in her shoes, I would have been mortified and paralyzed by the fear of looking silly in front of nearly everyone I knew. But not Micah. She just giggled and carried on as best she could.

This morning, I got to thinking about all the little things in life that we just can't control, hiccups included, and I realized that I could stand to learn something from my dear little daughter. Lucky for you, I'm here to pass it along: When you get a case of the hiccups, you can try standing on your head or swallowing water upside down or any other crazy remedy you may have heard, but in the end, there's nothing that you can do to cure them. All you can do is giggle and move on. The recovering perfectionist in me really needed that lesson. 

Apply that piece of wisdom however you see fit. You're welcome. Until next time, grace and peace.

The Simple Things: Redefining the Good Life

Hey y'all. Hope you had a great weekend! Ours was busier than normal, but full of good times. Friday morning I walked into the dining room to find my Valentine's Day gift from Dennis sitting in front of my computer - the Nashville Season Two CD, and a family-sized pack of Chips Ahoy cookies. He speaks my language. I popped the CD in on the way to pick up Micah from preschool and promptly proceeded to listen to "A Life That's Good" by Lennon & Maisy about 300 times. Not only are the girls ridiculously cute, but they're also crazy talented, and the song is so, so good. It's the sole reason I wanted the CD in the first place. Here: see for yourself.

This song. It preaches to me. At the end of the day, all that really matters is that I have a life that's good and pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. Nothing else really matters.

This crazy culture that we live in wants us to believe that material things are the most important things in life. That we work hard so we can buy the next best thing. That what we have isn't good enough, impressive enough, new enough, and the-next-best-thing enough.

It's time to push back against that lie and say enough is enough. Because the words of the song are true. At the end of the day, the things that I need are simple indeed. Two arms around me. Heaven to ground me. A family that always calls me home. Four wheels to get there. Enough love to share. A sweet, sweet song. At the end of the day, Lord I pray, I have a life that's good.

What are you praying for today?

Until next time, grace and peace.