Friday, February 25, 2011

Enjoying the Small Things

Life lately has seemed to be about enjoying the small things around us. And how these small things affect our day to day life.

One small (or maybe not so small) thing we're currently enjoying is finally have two paychecks again. This month, for the first time since I left my job at Kruger, we were able to pay all of our bills without feeling any anxiety. I must admit, I forgot what that was like. And it was a great feeling.

We're also enjoying realizing the ways that God speaks to us. He comes in those times when we least expect it. He comes when we need Him the most. It is an amazing thing - when you're having a really hard time, things aren't looking that great, you're feeling defeated and unsure what to do... and then it happens. God sends you a message. Not a Facebook message or a text message, although I think that would be awesome and so much easier to recognize!

New Text Message!
From: God (4-Heaven)
To: You
Message: You are loved. You are amazing. You are forever my child.
How awesome, right?! :) Anyway... back to when you're just feeling down in the dumps, God speaks to us. He gives us the affirmation we so desperately need through people we wouldn't expect it from or don't even know that well. It is an amazing gift from God.

We're also realizing that every day we are still growing up. We are still maturing. We are still learning. Almost every day I think we encounter something that makes us realize (again!) that we are grown-ups. And life isn't always fun. But it is also an adventure. We realize that some days are just bad days at work. But we have each other to come home to and unwind together.  

Another thing is marriage. Every day we learn more and more about marriage. And being in this marriage together affects everything that we do. Its about making decisions with that other person. It's learning how the things we do affect that other person. It's no longer just you - it the two of you. And there may be some days when you are just so frustrated with each other you don't know what to do. But even in those worst moments, you can't imagine your life without that person because you know they are your other half. And as weird as it sounds, I treasure those moments. Knowing that no matter how mad or frustrated we might get at each other or situations we're in, it will always be okay and work out because we have each other. It's in those moments I realize how deep my love for AJ goes and even now it amazes me.

And at that the same time, I also realize how much I enjoy our goofy times. The times when it's just AJ and I hanging out and we go back in forth in some strange dialog - that I couldn't explain even if I tried - for five minutes and then crack up laughing at each other. Or the moments that we say the exact same thing at the exact same time. I kid you not, it happens more than it probably should! :)

So I challenge you: what are the small things in your life that you enjoy? Do you take the time to think about them? Do you actually take the time to enjoy them? If not, you should. It's the little things that make life special. It's the little things that keep life exciting.