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 from the past week which brought untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.

 

It was nine years ago today that we left our rose covered cottage down in Kent, trading it for a terraced house on a housing estate near Chester.   It was a very difficult time for us.   It's hard enough to lose your job, but when you also lose your home, and your much beloved dog all at the same time . . . well, our heads were just reeling with it all.   Things got worse for a time.   I wasn't ever able to find a new job and we lost our new car because we could not afford to keep it, but God is good, as ever.   In retrospect we were able to look back and see that this was the best possible move and change for us in our lives. In all truth I had not been really happy in that job for the last two years that I was there, but I am not a quitter so would have never quit, instead I would have become unhappier and unhappier.  I have been able to explore and do things that I never would have been able to do had we still been down there working for them.  For instance, I would never have had the time to write one book, let alone two. I wouldn't have won the National Turkey Award because my boss would not have let me participate in that competition. We wouldn't have Mitzie.  I wouldn't have been able to be with my mom when she had her lung operation.  The list of blessings I have been able to experience far outweighs any negatives. God is indeed very good. 

 

As heartbreaking it was for us to lose Jess, this little charmer has woven a spell around us over these past nine years that can never be broken.  She brings us untold joy each and every day. She was sitting here last night on the sofa between Todd and myself, and as I was stroking her ears and cuddling her, I said to Todd how very brave she was when she came home with us.  She didn't cry to be taken away from her siblings and her mother . . . she sat quietly on my lap the whole way home in the car.   She settled in to our home so very  completely and so comfortably . . . as if she knew this was where she belonged, her happily ever after home, and that we were going to be good to her and love her. 

 

She was so tiny and so adorble, more white than black  . . .  but it was like she knew from the very beginning that this was her home . . . just like we knew when we moved back here to Chester . . . we knew  that this was our home too, and it all just felt right . . . for all of us. 

 

It is in the tasting of the bitter . . . that we truly learn to appreciate the sweet.  It has ever been so.  Change often comes hard, and is only ever very rarely easy . . . but one thing I have learned in life is this.  If you are willing to do the right thing, always . . . and to walk in faith, trusting in the Lord all the way, and following His footsteps  . . . as difficult as those steps may be to follow, they always, ALWAYS take you to a better place.  And while there are certain things that will be changed forever, like losing Jess . . . He will wipe away your tears, and life will go on, perhaps in a different way . . . but a way that's no less wonderful or blessed or cherished than the old way . . . 

 

Losing everything you thought was important to you is a very humbling experience . . . but we were sent here to earth to learn everything that we can and to become better . . . stronger . . . wiser . . . more like our Heavenly Father.  We cannot do that if we only ever taste the sweet and are never ever broken . . .

It is in through our weakest moments that we truly become strong . . . and we cannot do it alone.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 

 It is something I need to remind myself of frequently . . .  it is so very tempting to wallow in self pity when things go all pear shaped.  I am not perfect . . . I always have a little boo hoo, but then I put my big girl pants on and have a word with Him above . . . and then I move forward . . . or at least try to. 

 

And sometimes my steps are very tiny and very feeble . . . and it doesn't seem like I am moving very far, but as tiny as a step may be, as long as it is a step in the right direction, progress is made.  The journey of a thousand miles always begins with just one small and wonderful . . . step. 

 

 

Gratitude.  It may seem like a small thing, and it is pretty wonderful . . . but it is huge in the scheme of things.   Learning to be grateful in all things is one of the challenges we have been asked to overcome here on earth.   The "in all things" is the hard bit . . .

  

Any time I spend chatting with my sister.  It doesn't happen near often enough, but when it does I count it a blessing.  I love her so very much.  She has been blessing my life for almost 61 years now (this July).   She is really important to me and I hope she knows that. Sisters are right up there with mothers. So grateful for mine. 

  

Weekend facetimes with our Doug and his family. (This is Jake, he's a real character.)  I love these special moments and I am so very appreciative of Doug and the efforts he makes to make sure his boys know and love me and are comfortable with me.  Apparently there is a care package on the way to me from them.  I am on pins and needles waiting for it.  I wonder what is in it. One thing is for certain, it is filled with love and that is the greatest gift of all!  

What are the pennies in your life?   I would love to hear about them!

A thought to carry with you through today . . .

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛. He is not waiting until after you

have overcome your 

weakness and bad habits,

He loves you today with a

full understanding 

of your struggles.

~Dieter F Uchtdorf  •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Bow Tie Pasta with Sprouts & Bacon.  Very yummy!

Have a wonderful Monday.  I hope your week ahead is filled with plenty of small and wonderful things. Don't forget!  

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And I do too!