It’s the Little Things That Matter

by Brandy Webb

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and I know not everyone who reads my blogs are mothers. However, I wanted to share some things that made me realize that it is the little things that matter, and I believe this applies to everyone who desire to be more joyful and content. 

First, let me say that I have a tendency to focus on the negative little things that drive me crazy. For some reason, it is by far easier for me to see those little negative blots in my life rather than see the twinkles of the positive little things that want to brighten my life. Yesterday was one of those days at first. I won’t go into the details because this is supposed to be an uplifting blog, not a drag. Let me just say it wasn’t my family’s fault at all; I was just focusing on annoying little trials and goals not met yesterday.

So, finally I got tired of being in a funk. I mean, it was Mother’s Day after all. I was supposed to be thanking God for allowing me to be a mother to two beautiful children, which is truly a blessing. I know women who would love to have children and can’t, and here I was boohooing about negative events and situations in my life instead of rejoicing that I am a mom. Therefore, I had to do something to stop the joy stealers from winning, and start searching for the twinkling little things that were all around me.

First, I started to focus on the little sweet things my kids did that day for me. My son had made me a flower and a card at school. Both the card and the flower were beautiful. My daughter gave me a custom-made calendar, fixed me breakfast, and did the dishes without asking. This is actually a huge thing, not a little thing. My husband grilled us steaks for dinner and helped clean the kitchen afterwards. There were more small things, but the truth was, I was allowing foolish thinking from nearly keeping me from noticing these precious little things.

The truth is, we are supposed to enjoy life, for “there is nothing better for [us] than to be joyful and to do good as long as [we] live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man” (Eccl 3:12-13). Some of us may have more food and drink than others, but we aren’t supposed to compare ourselves with each other. The key here for joyfulness is to enjoy the blessings that you have received from your labor, and to stay focused on them instead of looking at your neighbor.

We are to be joyful and rejoice always and to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:16, 18). Notice the similarities with Solomon’s advice and Paul’s? It is God’s will for us to be joyful and thankful for what we have received. So, if you are wondering what God wants you to do with your life, here it is, and this is what I realized I wasn’t doing yesterday. I was not living within God’s will. I was not being joyful and enjoying the blessings He has given me. My children are the fruits of my labor, and my job is to enjoy them while I can. I am grateful that God helped me turn myself around and taught me a valuable lesson: pay attention to the “little” positive things because they are more valuable than gold. “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Prov 16:8).