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My name is Tanner and here I post stories, reflections, poems, and prayers.
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Little Joys
I sat in the back row of our church and listened as the word blessing washed over me again and again like waves crashing the shore. My mind began to wander, drifting like it does. We hear this word, say this word, sing this word, pray this word, but I want to live this word. To see all of this life as a blessing, a gift, to accept the invitation to live.
But how?
Like most good things it begins with slowing down and opening my hands. In this I am coming back to the child I once was. Being a new father is teaching me how to see this life as an endless gift. Judah, our almost 10-month old, is showing me an old world through new eyes.
Day after day we walk the neighborhood and see blessing after blessing. We notice the branches shaking in the breeze, the worms crossing the sidewalk after the rain, the flowers blooming in the sunlight, the leaves changing and changing, the clouds shape-shifting in the sky, the birds chirping as a new day begins, the people waving as we pass.
Beauty doesn’t end.
What a blessing.
In this I am learning to pay attention to the small things that bring joy.
And we all know that the small things are the big things.
So, I say all of this to say …
Look for what makes you say “Wow!”and “Amazing” and “Praise God!”
May they change you and guide you and be a gift to you.
Let these words jump from your mouth and into your ears and the ears of the people around.
Let yourself be someone who is so free and so aware.
Watch the sunrise and say, “Wow!”
Taste a new wine and say, “Amazing!”
Hear the children laugh and say, “Praise God!”
When you leave the house, be ready to be blessed.
It’s all happening right in front of you.
This life is too beautiful to not let out a whisper of “Wow” or “Amazing” or “Praise God.”
Enjoy the little joys of this world.
The following writing first appeared on Instagram. Follow along with me there!
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AWESOME!
Thanks for sharing, Tanner. This was good! It made me think of Nouwen in his Prodigal Son book he talked about his friend that travelled extensively. Henri always looked forward to seeing his friend so he could get the exciting stories and news from him, but was always disappointed because his friend never had those kinds of stories to share. Instead, his friend would say, "I saw something very small and very beautiful; something that brought me much joy."
As a young dad in a similar boat (my kids are currently 3 and 1), I have to remind myself that it's in the hidden and overlooked places we find the greatest treasures. :-) This was a good reminder.