Living a small life may be the biggest thing we ever do.

It was a bit past eight in the evening and I was poised near the window.

Crouched down, peering past the sill. On these early spring nights, I look out at the horizon and across the water. Watching for wing-beats shadowy over the surface.

And then, like clockwork they arrive.

8:23 p.m.

The pair of wood ducks.

In the indigo of twilight they return.

Papa keeps guard as mama flies into the nest-box. After she is safely inside, he departs for the evening. There she will stay cozy warm, incubating her brood throughout the night.

This will happen over and over for the next four to five weeks until the chicks hatch.

She sits patiently, snuggled dry inside.

Twinkle lights in the trees ~ her night light.

The soft, throaty chorus of frogs and the gentle lapping of water make for a tender lullaby.

Goodnight, dear mama…goodnight.

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Oh…the beauty of this quiet, still space.

It seems almost sacred. 

These simple moments in life that can capture our attention.

Everyday snapshots. Sunsets and sunrises. Skies and landscapes.  We move through them, often past them without notice.

Commonplace to the masses.

But sometimes, just sometimes ~ there is more to be seen. More to witness. We find ourselves immersed in these bits of time.

Our breath…caught short.

The beauty, the experience ~ becomes etched in our memory.

Engraved on our hearts.

Though seemingly insignificant to passersby, I believe that God speaks to us in those moments.

And every now and then we see them for more than just a beautiful, transient instant.

They become physical memories, containing deep and sometimes profound lessons should we allow ourselves to linger in that precious, connected space.

…

Looking beyond the joy of the natural world, we contemplate the connection with our Creator. How nature translates to our human existence.

Evaluating the complexities.

Savoring the simplicity.

The big and the small of it.

We explore our interactions and the space that our souls occupy.

John 2:17

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

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With a recently injured ankle, my walks at the park had been notably altered.

Suddenly those meandering trails seemed ominous.

The pain and discomfort would govern my outings until my healing was complete.

But I knew that getting outside would do me good, even if only for a short while. Just to take in some of the brisk spring air and enjoy the changing April skies.

So…tentatively I ventured out.

Little did I know what gifts God had prepared for me. 

My pace had slowed down a great deal. Stopping often to pause and rest, I saw my surroundings differently.

…

I noticed the tiny shadows cast by the scales of a pine-cone in the light of morning. 

I stopped to admire the translucence of a daffodil as the sun shone through its dewy, silken petals . 

I heard the “tsee” of a golden-crowned kinglet in the spruce tree, flitting from branch to branch foraging for an early breakfast.

I breathed in the delicate fragrance of the star magnolia, marveling at the graceful unfolding of blossoms.

…

These small wonders bring the heart such fullness!

They are images of our King ~ tangible forms of His radiant beauty.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

For so many years I watched the big dreams for my life fade to pass.

After the waves of disappointment quieted and the winds of sadness grew calm, I found myself in this simple space that I live.

One of single-motherhood ~ raising my dear Sweet Louise.

A life of work and responsibility. A life of love, laughter and story-telling. Of Saturday morning pancakes and singing duets. A life of house-keeping and errand-running. Of laundry and dishes. Of hikes and of hills. Of beekeeping and friend-tending.

Moving in and out of the hours.

Intervals of time laced with the intricacy of those sharing this journey.

These day-to-day mingles.

Some would consider it to be a small life. 

After all, the world is shouting that grandure equates to happiness. That more is the definition of satisfaction. And that doing something big is of greater value than that of the small.

Better than the ordinary.

More masterful than the mundane.

…

But taking the time to embrace these small things in life, to soak up a simple space can become something marvelous when our God is at the helm!

Like the ripples from the raindrops that reach the shore time and time again, gradually and forever changing the contour of the landscape. 

Our small lives can accomplish great things in the name of Jesus.

The days spent right where we are.

Our moving in this place, day by day.

This is where the real stuff of life happens.

In Him, the joy that we carry brings Light to this fragile and broken world. 

Like the great canyons carved over millions of years by rushing water, so too can our small, simple actions change the course of those dry and barren souls thirsting for change.

Desiring to be loved.

Weary hearts torn by the big expectations of this world.

Perhaps the hand that we reach out in comfort, will be the first in a line of knocking at a lost and hidden heart.

Maybe our voice that whispers understanding in a fearful and darkened space will be the lantern that brings a peaceful emotional respite.

Could it be that a simple smile may be everything to someone in need? An encouraging reminder that they are seen. Visible and cared for.

Or the words of forgiveness breathed in pardon to become a soothing salve. Lessening the pain of an old and aching wound from decades past ~ now the beginnings of healing in a hurting life.

We don’t know how our Father God will use these small acts.

But His Word promises us that we can rely on Him to do just that.

Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.

You see…we were each hand-made with loving care.

Stitched up in His image.

Brought to this world, destined for the divinity of His purpose.

That means that the small things we do make for great change when we do them to give Him glory! 

When we settle into our days, joyfully honoring Him.

He is using these little pieces of our life to complete His grand design.

What the world considers ‘less-than’ is precisely how our Jesus showed us to live when He walked on this earth.

It is counter-cultural to be satisfied with the small.

Or to find happiness in the space of humility.

But with God, these are the treasures of this world!

Small glistenings of grace.

Here, in our own little corner, we can be the melody to someone who has forgotten the song of this life.

Who has not yet discovered the JOY that lies beneath the struggle.

And we can share Christ ~ Hope eternal ~ in the small, but genuine actions we take.

This simple way of living is the abundance found only in the freedom of our Savior!

…

And knowing that my Jesus can do all of that with the little bit that I have to offer ~

Well, count me in to this small life…

In a BIG way!