It's the Little Things

It’s the second week of January and I am still recovering from a wonderful and jam-packed Christmas season. Whew! Dealing with a painful hip and hobbling around for the past month has dampened my usual burst of January energy to bring order back into my cluttered house. Instead I’ve had plenty of time to sit with an ice pack or heating pad (depending on the latest diagnosis of my hip pain) and reflect on the events of Christmas and my thoughts for the New Year.

Celebrating Christmas with both my sons and their families was very special. It’s a normal experience for many families but— because of time, distance, and circumstances— a rarity for me.  Because I don’t want to forget the details, I compiled a list of some memories that made it such a special time. Here are a few:  

• Ten of us at Stone Mountain Park with me in a wheelchair being pushed over the rough terrain by my strapping grandson.
• Watching granddaughters decorating cut-out sugar cookies with lots of sprinkles.
• A row filled with Dixons and Davises listening to Charles play O Holy Night on his harmonica at the church Christmas Eve Service.
• Working with my daughter-in-law in the kitchen to keep everyone fed.
• Star Wars gifts under the tree reminiscence of my sons’ younger years when it was all about Star Wars. 

So as 2016 begins, my resolution is to be more mindful of the smaller events of life—those things that give life its richness. I want to take time to talk to someone I meet at the grocery store, pay attention to the birds on our deck, be thankful for a warm house and a hot cup of tea.

Instead of a sweeping (no pun intended) resolution to de-clutter my house from top to bottom, I will tackle my to-do list one item at a time and will be thankful for each small step.  Clean out one drawer in the kitchen, sort one pile on my desk, review and delete 100 old emails in my inbox instead of 1000.

I will find one Bible verse or devotional thought to focus on each day and savor its meaning, and pray for one or two persons each day that God puts in my mind and on my heart. Here is one of my favorite Bible verses and a good one for all of us to think about often during 2016.  

Have a blessed New Year.

Ephesians 4:8-9

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”