While waiting for the coffee to brew Monday morning, I peeked out the kitchen curtains. To the east, a glowing red band rimmed the horizon. Slightly to the west, a clear, dark sky provided backdrop for a gleaming crescent moon.
Thank you, Father, I prayed, for prompting me to look out the window just now. Your handiwork never ceases to thrill me.
I wondered what further delights God might present as the day progressed? I decided to begin a list, just for the fun of seeing how many moments I could record. The glowing horizon and bright crescent moon became #1.
#2. A completed workout. Thank you, Lord, for helping me eat a live frog–yet again! (Yes, that’s a perfectly logical prayer for those who know what Mark Twain said: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” For me, exercising is about as distasteful as eating a live frog!)
Moments later, as a bowl of oatmeal spun slow circles inside the microwave, I chose to window-gaze again. This time a squirrel caught my attention as he scampered along a treetop branch, then leapt across a wide chasm to the next tree.
How do squirrels jump like that without falling? Such astounding abilities you’ve given some of your creatures, Lord.
#3 became: A gravity-defying squirrel.
#4. Oatmeal—with cinnamon, berries, walnuts, and milk. Thank you, Father, for the endless combinations of ingredients we can put together to make our taste buds happy!
#5. Coffee. The most exquisite flavor to start the morning.
I was on a roll now as the praiseworthy moments continued:
#6. A dropped contact found.
#7. Sunshine pouring through the windows.
#8. The drive to our son’s house along the edge of Mount Airy Forest. Spring is in evidence: bright green undergrowth portends the imminent leafing of trees.
#9. Clear, rain-washed air–fresh and crisp. Just breathing is a supreme pleasure.
#10. Holding four-year old Elena’s soft little hand as we climb the stairs together.
#11. Snuggling two-month old Maarit on my shoulder while taking her on another slow, bouncy tour of the living/dining, and kitchen area. Her bright eyes seem to study every object, any sign of movement, every play of light.
#12. Reveling in Maarit’s smiles, each one a delightful surprise.
#13. Making her laugh for the first time.
#14. Watching Elena complete a 48-piece puzzle, with very little help.
#15. Catching one of Maarit’s smiles on camera–well, almost.
#16. Listening to a symphony of birds upon arrival home, as I walked from car to house.
#17. Soaking up the warmth of sunshine on the deck while reading my Bible and journaling a bit.
#18. Enjoying a refreshing salad, all the more delicious because Steve made it.
#19. Receiving blessing and challenge while reading posts from bloggers I follow. (See the list in the right column!)
#20. Resting with a pleasurable book.
* * * * * * * * * *
It may not be practical to record such moments every day, but I can see great benefit from keeping a list now and then.
It’s grateful eyes that get to see God’s goodness and glory everywhere–all day long.
(“It is good to praise the Lord…
…to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night…
…For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord,
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.”
–Psalm 92:1-2, 4)
What commonplace moment brings you uncommon joy? Please share in the comment section below!
(Art & photo credits: www.pixabay.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.farm7.staticflickr.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.wikimediacommons; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pinterest.com.)
From the Inside Out 
One of my blessings was to see sweet Maarit’s face.
She is a sweet baby–calmer than most, but still keeping Mommy and Daddy up at night more often than not!
Thanks for the reminder, Nancy. We all need to do this now and then. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good !!!!!
God is good all the time (as we used to sing)! Paying special attention was great fun.
What a lovely list, Nancy! Thanks for the encouragement to look for beauty, sweetness, delight in the every day.
Thank you, Diana. The exercise really did add delight to my day!
What a wonderful list! Paying attention to these God’s moments fill our hearts with gratitude and awareness, don’t they?
It was such fun, too. WORSHIP is fun! Years ago, had I said that out loud in some circles, I would have raised eyebrows for sure. But it’s true!
Oh Nancy, yes, there are so many things to delight in, all day. I have taken on a challenge similar… instead of looking at my kids’ faults and trying to correct them all the time, I am trying to look more at the things that I am so proud of. I am not good at it yet, but God is working in me and I can see Him helping me with it. THANK YOU again for a beautiful and sweet post. Your love for our God shows through it 🙂
What a worthy goal you’re pursuing. God will definitely augment your efforts and the results–just you wait and see! Thank you for your sweet encouragement, Heidi. I SO appreciate you!
Really loved this post Nancy. I’m trying to cultivate a heart of gratefulness and it’s so easy to miss the small daily blessings.
You are so right: the small daily blessings are easy to miss, but a heart of gratefulness gathers much joy. It’s worth the effort of paying attention. (We can do this together!)
Nancy, it does my heart so much good to read your record of what you’ve seen ‘just watching’ your world…. so much to smile about here. You are one blessed woman. And coffee first thing in the morning? Agreed–nothing better. p.s. your live frog comment? oh my–I love that.
Thank you, Jody. So glad I could make you smile–even with the image of eating live frogs. And AMEN–I am one blessed woman! I pray you have enjoyed a blessed Sabbath–full of more smiles!
I truly enjoyed reading through your list. A list of simple delights adds up to a wonderful and encouraging praise-filled read. Mom and I are looking forward to spending two whole days with a much-loved great-niece whom the Lord has been lovingly protecting these passed few weeks. Not a simple thing. But a great thing. (I love salads, too, as well as the smell of freshly falling rain!)
Praise God for the gift of much-loved family! So glad you’ll be able to spend some quality time with that special great-niece. Speaking of rain (as you were!), more is falling here right now. I love the way it creates momentary polka dots on the pavement. (Another simple delight!)
Wow. I feel like I just finished a classic full English breakfast. Replete with pleasures. What a delicious way to live, Nancy. I’m smiling over your day and wondering what awaits in mine. Thank you, friend, for a spiritual “leg up” this morning. Your words are laced fingers under my sole. 🙂
What an honor for me to provide laced fingers under your sole, Laurie! (Love that play on words!! Such a gift you have for artful verbal expression.)
Great post, Nancy. Before I was diagnosed with ALS, I think I took most simple pleasures for granted. Now, I am continually thank God for the simple pleasures I once overlooked; air conditioning, a comfortable bed, watching my grand-kids play in the yard… Life is good if you value life’s simple joys, like communicating with my blogging friends 🙂
There is power in the habit of continual praise, and you, Bill, provide the perfect example of just how strong a power it is! Thank you for stopping by with your positive comments. And, yes, communicating with blogger friends (especially those who originated in the Chicago area!!) is a supreme delight!
Hi Nancy, Thank you for another wonderful and thoughtful idea. Sometimes we get caught up and miss such wonderful things. I actually love driving around and looking at various landscapes. Hiking at the Cincinnati Nature center where in the winter there could be snow, cardinals, deer along with squirrels all in one hike. I must take time to sit and record them while watching a roaring fire in main building. Just received your blog today!Sam
That would surely be a fun journal to keep for a year, recording you observations at the nature center, taking note of the changes as the seasons pass. You’re sure to discover some delightful details that less observant visitors miss!