In case you haven't been able to tell, I have basically been a basketcase the past couple of weeks - ha! I have been a ball of emotions just bouncing back and forth between grumpy, sad, happy, and every other unfortunate feeling from here to kingdom come. I know I'm pregnant and I know my hormones are wreaking havoc on my body right now, but I still feel guilty, because I also know that being pregnant and uncomfortable is NOT an excuse to act ugly (as I have unfortunately sometimes been doing).
But.
I am BEYOND grateful for the grace of God (and my family members!) that He continues to pour out on me even though I am so undeserving. I love hearing from others how God has come through for them in big ways....it is always such a faith builder. I have some of my own "God stories" that can only be explained by the fact that He can do so much more than I could ever imagine. But, I also love the moments when I can see Him in the little things. When He takes time to remind me that He is not just the God of miracles, but He is also an everyday God. He cares about the little details of my life just as much as He cares about the big picture.
I am so thankful for people that listen to that small voice that encourages them to extend kindness to others. People that care enough to mention "the little things" that might seem insignificant to the giver, but can be invaluable to the receiver.
Little things like:
The nursery worker at church who told me, "You look great!" when I dropped Libbi off. And I could tell she meant it. (Little did she know, I had cried the whole way to church because I just knew I looked like a beached whale).
The friends that text/email me to ask how I'm doing, because they know I don't feel like talking :)
The sweet pharmacy tech that kindly said, "Hi" back to Libbi each of the 5,000 times Libbi said "hi hi hi hi" to her first. And bonus that her "hi" came with a smile each time.
When my mom called in to one of my favorite boutiques to get me a few goodies just to lift my spirits.
When this favorite boutique added in some of their own goodies free of charge just because they wanted to lift my spirits, too.
The man at the dry cleaners that always asks how I'm feeling and makes sure to say "hi" to Libbi. He not only remembers my name and Jeffrey's name, but Libbi's, too.
The candle that my sister gave me for Mother's Day....that she bought with her own money.
A husband that will take care of bathtime (even after a long day at work), because he knows this pregnant lady can't handle it.
Family that will totally rearrange their schedules just to accommodate ours.
The receptionist at the doctor's office that walked all the way out to the waiting room to bring me my insurance card and paperwork instead of calling me up to come retrieve it.
The nurse at the doctor's office that told me my weight was "perfect" even though I know it's far from it.
In the midst of all that is going on and the busy-ness of life, I pray that I will always take time to stop and think of "the little things" that occur every day. I hope I'm never too hurried/flustered/ungrateful to appreciate them and notice them myself. I pray that I will take every opportunity and follow every small nudge that I feel to compliment someone else or to go out of my way to show kindness. Because you never know just how "BIG" the "little things" can be for someone else.
