Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

 

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we were well and truly fed this past weekend as we were able to watch the 191st General Conference online. What a wonderful opportunity it was to hear wonderful talks and to receive inspiration from our leaders during a time which is difficult for so very many people in the world.  I loved all of the talks, but my favourite session was the Sunday morning session which features speakers and choirs from all the corners of the globe. 

Talks, prayers and music focused on the meaning of Easter and Jesus Christ and were provided by speakers and choirs from Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong (China), Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, the United States, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

All of the talks touched my heart. I loved the children's choir from South Korea, dressed in their national costumes.  Their singing was so sweet and even though I did not understand the words, because it is a very common children's hymn in the church, it touched my heart in a special way because I knew exactly what they were singing.  It was beautiful.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is such a simple thing, and yet very wonderful.  So simple that even a child is able to grasp and understand it in a beautiful and meaningful way.  If you are interested in watching any of the sessions you can find them here on the church website. They are also available on YouTube.  

I came away feeling very encouraged and inspired.  I always do.

 

There IS always a way, and that if I can just get myself through today, tomorrow will be brighter and better . . . and that the things I find hard to do today, to see today  . . . . won't matter half as much as they do right now and I will feel all the better for having conquered them.  I think we all have those moments in our life where we feel like we are struggling.  It is good to know that now need not be forever.  

 

This  . . . . 

 

God's presence is ever beside you,
As near as the reach of your hand,
You have but to tell Him your troubles,
There is nothing He won't understand.
~Helen Steiner Rice 

Prayer.  It's a small thing, but it's everything.  I am so grateful for the presence of prayer in my life.  I am learning how to make my prayer life more focused. It is so easy to fall into bed at the end of the day and just ramble off prayers when I am tired.  I have been choosing a time in the middle of my days to go into my quiet place and pray with focus and meaning.  Generally speaking I have a prayer in my heart all the time, but being able to sit and focus on nothing else has made my prayers much more meaningful and beautiful.  I believe in answered prayers, even the unspoken prayers. Maybe they are not always answered in the way that we wish for them to be, but the answers always come.

 

The gift of today.  A fresh page to write on with each new day that dawns.   Thank God for new beginnings and the chance we have to do-better . . .    

 

The beauty of every day things.  Ordinary things. Simple things. Tender mercies. Small blessings. I have a very abundant life. To be able to experience the magic in the ordinary is a gift I hope I never take for granted. The ability to choose the positive most days. I know that there are many, many people in the world who struggle with this either through mental illness or depression.  I have low moments.  Everyone does. Thankfully I have always been able to shake them off and move forward.  I know this is a great blessing.  I wish it was a blessing everyone had and was able to feel.  

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 5:6-7

Grateful that in this troubled world and that in these troubled times I have found the peace that passes all understanding.  Jesus Christ IS the light.  

I have a life which is filled with abundance and beauty.  I have been blessed with the ability to bloom . . .  even in the cracks of life.  Others are not so lucky. I am able to see a crack in the sidewalk of my life as an opportunity for growth. This is a great blessing. May it ever be thus  . . . 

 

Each and every one of you.  You will probably never know how much it cheers my heart that I have you to share with each day, or at least each day that I can.  Oh, I know, I would probably share even if you weren't there, but you make it all so much nicer.  I can feel you out there and I think of you when I am writing.  My posts really do feel like conversations with good and kind friends and that is largely due to YOU.  Love you all and thank YOU! 

And those are my small and wonderful things for this week. 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.When the Japanese mend broken objects,

they aggrandize the damage by

filling the cracks with gold, because

they believe that when something has

suffered damage, and has a history,

it becomes more beautiful. •。★★ 。* 。

 

In The English Kitchen today I am talking about Delicious Leftovers. Mom always called me the Queen of Leftovers. She said I could make the sole of a boot taste good. 

Have a beautiful week. I hope that it is filled to overflowing with an abundance of small and wonderful things. Don't forget! 

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And I do too.