Monday, October 17, 2011

Focus

I've got big stuff on my mind right now and I've been wanting to find joy in the exact circumstance I'm in, every day.

As I was walking home the other day after dropping off Chickie at school, I was worrying about this big stuff that's on my mind. I was fighting in myself to trust God instead of indulging in worries.

Then I started really paying attention to Zoodle, who was riding in the stroller. He was playing a silly game on my phone in which he says something into the phone, and a cat repeats what he said in an altered voice. He was giggling in delight as he made funny noises and heard them repeated. So I took the phone and started saying my own little messages.

We both laughed, and I realized--finding joy doesn't just apply to the big stuff in my life, the stuff that consumes my attention. Lots of times that big stuff doesn't really need that much attention.

Finding joy also means looking away from that big stuff, and enjoying the small stuff. (Funny thing is, the small stuff tends to put the big stuff in perspective.)

Next time my mind is warring between worry and joy as I look at all of life's unknowns, I hope I can turn my attention to a giggling kid or a great song or a sweet moment with my husband--all the simple things God gives me to experience joyfully...every day.


11 comments:

Amanda said...

Well said, Beth!

Liz said...

Lovely post, Beth. What you describe, finding joy in the everyday small things (like sharing a giggle with your toddler), is how I got through the insanity of raising my two daughters as a stay-at-home-darned-lucky-mom...They are 23 and 21 now and beautiful women. I remember being surprised now and then by the realization that the time to enjoy the small moments with them was passing lightening fast and NOW...wow.

Call Me Cate said...

That's nice to remember. I was fretting about things as we were riding our bikes yesterday when suddenly I realized that leaves were starting to change and a few had fallen. I could smell autumn, and hear it as the leaves crackled under my tires, and feel it on my skin. I experienced a really powerful moment of "isn't it just awesome to be alive?". There's joy all around us, if we can set the other things aside long enough to realize it.

Tiffany said...

Great post! Good reminder :o)

Tia said...

I hope the big stuff isn't too serious! Thinking of you!

Vixbil said...

Lovely post and a great thing for us all to remember I think xx

Unknown said...

Great post! I love those moments when I get lost in being silly with my son. There isn't much that some giggling can't make you feel a little better about.

enthusiastically, dawn said...

Hooray for joy and silly moments.God is so in those moments and does not want us to miss them fretting. Excellent reminder! ;)

SurvivorBlessing said...

Those silly moments usually happen when I feel down (or like you worrying). But when I change my attitude and put my attention to something so beautiful, our children, then it just lifts off.
They are such a joy and their simpleness is worry-free and pure. I LOVE when that happens.

Leslie said...

i just read this one. I love that finding joy paragraph. SO true. I think I have to write it down so I can remember it.

Sandra said...

A great perspective for a happy life.