A Sense of Wonder
by Helen Grace Lescheid
Are you feeling discontentment today and missing the small blessings of your life?
Take this online study http://thelife.com/study/strugglecontent.html?section=struggle_contentment
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation….Philippians 4:11,12
"Mom, you find pleasure in the smallest things," my daughter laughed.
I had just described to her my joy at finding a spider web suspended outside my kitchen window. Raindrops caught in the web shone like beads of crystal in the early morning sunlight. What could be more beautiful?
A sense of wonder at the small things! How we need that today in our world of noise, speed, and consumerism. It’s easy to be sucked into the world’s way and to miss the many little blessings God scatters into each day for us.
Two things that steal my sense of wonder:
- Comparing myself with others who seem to have more of what I want–more book sales, more speaking engagements, more success in ministry…
- A feeling of entitlement–I deserve more than I’m getting. After all, I have worked very hard and given so much.
Paul could have gone that route. He had sacrificed everything: home, family, career, comfort, even a wage. He had worked day and night to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ sparing nothing. Yet, he was in prison while others were free to preach.
What was his response? "I have learned the secret of being content."
What was his secret? I think I know: Develop a keen sense of wonder at all that God is giving you now. All the little miracles he is scattering into each day for you. Like a spider web outside the kitchen window.
Today, I encourage you to write down the little blessings that add to the pleasure of your day. See if you can come up with ten. Then share some of them with the rest of us.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the surprising ways in which you come to us. Today I want to be alert to the small blessings you’ve planted along my pathway.
Question: What small thing has blessed your heart recently?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/helen-lescheid/
24 Responses to “A Sense of Wonder”
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How so blessed I’ve been by this devotional site and by all the responses. God has truly loved us with an everlasting love. We dont get to appreciate it as we should as hustle and bustle through the mundane things of everyday life. So touched by Linda’s story. Thanks for sharing it and as we say in christian circles in Nigeria, I tap into the anointing for great daughters-in-law.
Immensely grateful for so many things.
The priviledge of belonging to God’s family.Bless the Lord oh my soul!
Being brought through many hopeless situation to a life full of hope.
A husband who is totally sold out to me. The greatest will be when he will be totally sold out to God.Soon.
Wonderful children(2 boys and 2 girls).The baby says “I love you,mum” any opportunity he gets.
A grandmother that lived long enough to see three of my children.
The faces of children smiling at me from UNICEF calendar filled with so much hope in the midst of hopelessness.
The joy of being God’s channel of blessing to those in need.
The grace to keep desiring the fellowship of the fellow christians.
The flash of wisdom when I’m trying to crack a difficult nut at work.
The camaraderie with my colleagues at work.
Thanks Helen for the awakening.I should do this often during the day.I dont think there is a better way to send the devil and his worry back to hell where they belong.
God bless us all indeed and continue to multiply the small things( they are big) in our lives.
Ellen
That is such a wonderful heritage your family has given you. Unfortunately I did not have that although my Mom loved me very much. She began attending church with me later in her life for which I am thankful. It is so much easier when you are raised that way to stay faithful. We are attending church again so I pray we find the right church God wants us to be in.
Patricia
That is so true about learning something new from God’s word! Just last night the pastor was saying that he learned from another minister that his family should come first before the ministry. I thought that strange at first but as he explained if you loose your family because of your ministry what example have you been to the world. It made me realize that family should come first after your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
That was a blessing!
Ohhhh!, Linda that’s really wonderful and that’s something I’ll always remember.Thanks for sharing that story.And ladies God has been and will continue to do marvelous things in our lives,I’ll stop and smell the roses.I’ll enjoy the moments, for it pleases God to see me do so.
Blessings to you all.
God is so good & I am so thankful that He is in control of our lives & not us; because if that were in that case I wouldn’t be here today.
1. Thankful I am alive
2. Thankful for this devotional site & all the new friends I have made & gives me a reason to get up every morning.Thank You Jesus!!!
3. For my loving, patient, caring, understanding, Christian Husband who has stood by me through thick and thin.
4. My two adorable grandsons who are the total Joy of my life
5. My two Christian Sons
6. The most Wonderful Daughter-in-law in the world plus & got a bonus & also got her identical twin sister too, so I got two for the price of one* and when my other son gets married I will get another one.
7. That I live in a free country & have the freedom to worship & read Gods Word
8. Christian Friends
9. The wild bunny rabbits that hop around my back yard
10.The gorgeous snow covered mountains & the glacier
*I just have to explain about my daughter-in-law. As I am sure most of you know I lost my daughter when she was almost 16yrs old. I made sort of a bargain with God, I told Him seeing He felt He needed to talk Lee-Anna home at such an early age could He please give me extra special daughter-in-laws & that is exactly what he did.When my son married Jenny her identical twin sister came right along with her & her husband & now family too.Shelia calls us mom & dad and the kids call us grandma and pappie.So The Lord Truly did answer my prayer for a extra special daughter-in-law and I am so thankful for them both & God is So Good! Hugs Linda!
I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who loves God. We have been married 38 years.
5 awesome Grandkids. They are a joy
For the awesome presence of an almighty God who is ever interceding for us
I was raised in a Christian home. We have 4 generations of an incredible heritage that have walked with God.
My Dad was an awesome example of a Christian Father filled with God’s wisdom. He lived what he taught.
My Grandma, Mom & Aunt were awesome prayer warriors. Nothing is to hard for our God.
Oh, yes, so much to be grateful for. So many little pleasures
Falling into a warm comfortable bed at the end of a full day.
The thought of my granddaughters at play
Friends
Answered prayer. There is no joy greater than praying for someone
and then receiving word that God has answered that prayer
Being used of God in some small or large way
The delight of setting off on a day trip with my husband
The sound of a cayote or a loon in the wilds
The peace and joy that comes when I know that I am in the perfect
will of God
Outdoor walks, especially when the sky is aglow with sunsets,
sunrises, a rainblw, etc
The joy that comes when I see something new in God’s word
Maia, PTL!! Your husband returns tonight. Wow! has the month gone by already? I have been praying for him and you and your family while he has been on his mission trip.
Amazing isn’t it . . . today’s devotional and about finding pleasure in the small things . . . and then today when I walked home from working out what do I spy but peeking up out of my flower beds but 3 white crocuses and one purple one. :-) I love the new life of spring and the bulbs which spring to live after resting and being dormant. Should tell us something, shouldn’t it?? We need to rest, too, and then we will function and grow better. God rested. We need to rest, too.
Loved to hear several mentioning about fishing (Patti and Debra). I can relate to that, too. Also, the mention of the wolves and coyotes. I heard a pack of coyotes one day on my walk. They must have just scored dinner because they sure were making a roucous.
I, too, am praying for Toni.
THE THING THAT BLESSES ME THE MOST LATELY WAS THE CRAY OF A SMALL BABY AT CHURCH WED NITE. SHE WAS BORN 3 MONTHS EARLY AND IS NOW A VERY HEALTHY BABY WEIGHING 6 POUNDS. SHE TRULEY IS A BLESSING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE GOD IS SO GOOD
SHARON B
Things that bless me are:
A wonderful husband who gives of himself unconditionally
A son who loves the Lord and me!
A bird in flight
My Westie’s love and attention
A caring friend
Knowing I am loved by God
Being on the water fishing
Loving family
Getting words of encouragement from someone when I needed it most.
God put’s people in our lives when we need them to encourage and uplift us. I am so thankful for Patti who I have met through this website. She has been a true inspiration and encouragement to me. Thank God for her love for Jesus and me!
The small thing that always blesses me is when I am looking out the window or sitting on the patio, and my beautiful redbird appears and stays for a while. A redbird always reminds me of my mother….and many times when I have needed peace, God sends that redbird to remind me of His love and that I will see her again.
1. That after a long dry spell, I find myself laughing again.
2. To hear others in my work placeand in my home laugh.
3. To awaken each day, knowing it is a new day with the Lord.
4. That I have two friends who love me unconditionally.
5. My grandchildrens smiles when they see me and thier laughs when they play.
6. A husband of 37 years.
7. A relationship with my earthly farther after a 10 year estrangement.
8. A day on a lake, whether I catch fish or where they are smarter than I!
9. Sitting on our patio, watching the birds, feeling the breeze and sounds of children playing in the distance.
10. Knowing that when it comes to me, God must have a sense of humor.
11. I must mention one more, the joy of music!
‘Lord Jesus, may we always be reminded that all things/blessing…big and small are from you. How thankful I am that you love us that much. Some of these mentioned aren’t really small things, as many times, we tend not to realize that you care about every little thing in our lives. It may be we have had our eye on something pretty for our home, something so small, we know we don’t really need it…yet so many times someone will without even knowing, gift it to us. May we always know that You, Lord…knew and provided thru another’s generosity….that you care about even those small things and desires.
My heart feels so full of gratitude today…so full of love and contentment.
Thank you Jesus for “Thou are my God, and I will praise thee; thou are my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever”
I have so many blessings in my life and I went and wrote some down in my journal as soon as I finished reading the devotional, starting with the love of God. I feel it each and every day and it amazes me all the time.
I am blessed with amzing friends, this beautiful day, music, and something that stands out especially for me at this moment as a university student, is a safe place to live and go to school.
I feel blessed beyond all imagination. Thank you for reminding me.
These bless me. Not one of them is greater than another.
1. Pansies in the snow.
2. Hug from a grandchild.
3. Sunrises and sunsets.
4. First buds on a tree.
5. Ladybugs swarming.
6. Humming bird nest.
7. Watching a canary hatch.
8. Green trees in the desert.
9. Colors on a butterfly.
10. New life of any kind.
Last night, the way my cat craned her neck to see what was on the other side of a door that she has probably never seen open before.
Another truly funny little thing was when she slapped her own tail because the laser pointer was sitting on it.
Last Saturday, watching my (caucasian) 5 year old grandson at Chucky Cheese, playing with Mexican and African American children he’d never met before–not giving the slightest thought to their “differences.”
A couple of months ago, watching and listening to the symphony of ice shards raining off tree branches in the woods behind the house following an ice-storm.
My 5 year old grandson calling me for no other reason than he misses me and wants to talk.
My grandson’s (I only have one, so far, but a girl is on the way :-} ) surprised pleasure when I drew a Veggie Tale face on a small butternut squash, making it look like “Jimmy” (?) in the Doughnut Hockey video game on line, and the fact that he still keeps it in sight at home.
Shooting stars.
“Thunder-snow” (snows storms with lightening and thunder–a recent development in northern Ohio).
Heavy winds rumbling and droning through the gully in the woods behind the house.
Hummingbird antics.
All the birds at the feeder.
Sunshowers and rainbows, especially if there is also fog rising up from the ground at the same time.
Seeing fire-flies at the same time that lightening is flashing in the sky.
Listening to bagpipes playing outside somewhere in the distance but not being able to tell where because of peasoup fog in one morning in Scotland.
Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons.
The group movements of meerkats.
Sun-sparks on the surface of a lake or pond.
Smell of wet earth after a rain.
Sunshine, period.
Northern Lights.
The detail in the small things in nature (tiny flowers, rocks [esp. small granite ones under water],
moss, lichen, berries, leaves, spider webs, hoarfrost, etc).
Watching frost melt and steam away in the morning as the sun rises and shadows move.
The sound of wolves in the distance, or the sound of coyotes running past the house.
The softness of my husband’s face when his heart is touched by something.
The soft blue eyes of a lovely old lady named Mary Love.
Being able to see the bottom of a body of water because the water is so clear.
The feeling of a hot shower rolling over my entire body.
The wonder of little children.
The surprise of an infant when they suddenly burp or expell air.
The sensation of breezes moving the hair on your arms and caressing your face.
The light that comes into someone’s eyes and face when they have an “ah-ha” moment.
The silence of being in a small boat on a remote northern Ontario lake.
Watching baby ducks learn while mother duck watches.
Watching baby ducks use a rock in a rapids as a waterslide.
The laughter of a loon. The call of a loon.
Being able to get close to an untamed animal.
Stilling still in a clearing in the woods and having a flock of birds land around you.
Silly signs.
The pride I feel when my husband presents a message well at church.
The gentle, humble smile of pride on my grandson’s face when we showed up at his karate class, for the first time, and unannounced.
When my grandson decides to pray because he wants to, all on his own.
When I learn that my grandson had tried to convince his mother that Jesus is real.
Ohhhhhhhh…I could go on and on and on….Thank you for this devotional :-}.
This IS the way to be content–enjoying simple pleasures :-}. I can’t remember a single time that I have stopped and tuned into the “now moment” with it’s sights and sounds and sensations and not known in my heart that everything is OK and that everything is going to be OK :-}
what a wonderful devotional, and what a blessing all the
replies are to read. I will share a couple ot things that
have blessed my heart recently. For Valentine my baby son,
who is 22 yrs old gave me a card and candy. The words in
the card was so heart moving that I cried. Later that night
after coming home from being taken out to eat by my husband,
my oldest son had left a ballon and a enormous card. The
words of this card was also very moving. Sometime it is
good to hear it said how one feel about you and how much
you are loved and appreciated. This morning while my husband
and I was making up the bed together he said , “thank God
for healing”. My husband injury his leg at work, and had to
go through surgery. The damage to his leg was a lot, he had
to use crutches and a walker. The pain was a lot and at
night he would groan with pain. The injury took place a
most four months ago, so he’s been out of work all that
time which is a hard thing for him. I thank God that my
husband is feeling healing in his leg. I thank God that he
is now able to walk without crutches and walker, Praise the
wonderful name of Jesus!. There was a cat that was pregnant
who decided to take refuge in my back yard under my husband
old classic car. The weather was very cold and wet so the
cat had her kittens which was about nine. I hated this be-
cause I didn’t want to take on that big job caring for them.
Also I was very concerned about their wellbeing. Well about
two days later the cat and all those nine kitten was gone,
no sign of them anywhere. God knows me and he knew my desire
and he honor my desire, thank you Lord. Today’s devotional
has encourage me to take more time out to smell the roses,
and to pay more attention to God’s wondrous creation. Life
is so brief and all so precious, so it is good to consider
those small blessings that may get overlooked due to the
cares of life. Ladies have a blessed day in the Lord, take
time out today to smell the roses(SMILE).
Being a family counselor I see alot of trauma, heartbreak,and torment but at times when God comes into play I see triumph, victory, love and joy evolve out of hopelessness and despair. I thank God that he is the one doing the miracles and it’s not up to me, I’m only a vessell of his glory.
O.K. Ten things
1. That a year ago Feb 20 I did not die in a horrible car wreck and I am here a year later almost- loving my kids and husband and working for the kingdom. Praise God who is Faithful.
2. That each child’s face holds the promise of a savior coming into their life for radical change and hope.
3. My church is wonderful and a place of peace.
4. Chrisitan friends are a joy and often a relief from the world.
5. True love after 18 years and many financial struggles.
6. That my alma-matter Union University did not have a casualty in last weeks tornadoes.
7. That my God brings sunshine through clouds that reminds us there is hope.
8. Coloring with children and peace spent time with them.
9. Jeremiah 29:11 and the comfort in it’s words.
10. That my God is coming again for you and me and we get to go to his house for eternity. YeaH!
What a devotion,
I’m left in wonder when:
1. A child’s smile.
2. God’s presence
3. Creation, reveals to me God’s Love for us.
4. A heart of friendship.
5. The love of a family.(Though I’ve been feeling they’re taking me for granted).
6. Trusting God with the future of my siblings(They are so much different from me and letting them be and seeing the much they’ve achieved just leaves me blessed).
7. A mother who never gave us up and all she sacrificed so we can have a decent meal and clothes on our backs,roof over our heads.Wow….God’s awesome to have given me such a woman for a mother.)
8. A home church with caring pastoral staff.
9. Peace (So significant, how I worry sometimes, but God…..someone said;if you know how to worry, you know how to pray.How I’ve found that to be true.)He floods my soul with the peace that surpasses all understanding
10. Forgiveness( I’ve done somethings in the past that are so shamefull but just embracing God’s forgiveness and forgiving myself is beyond me…I really appreciate that I’m so naive about somethings because it’s like I never sinned before.I thank God for His unfailing love and restoration.
Wow, just reading other’s replies is a blessing
Knowing God is working in my life and marriage and that things will be (even more) awesome.
My adopted son, now 2 1/2, hearing his giggles, seeing his smiles, getting his hugs and kisses.
‘Our’ Ospreys who are back; they come back every February and leave around July. I love hearing them, knowing they have little ones in the nest (or will soon), seeing them repair their nest, bring fish back.
Life is hard. The financial pressures have built up for me as an older citizen still needing to work to be able to take care of myself. I took a break from work last night to go with my daughter and two precious grandsons, two and four, to dinner. As we were leaving, the boys were given balloons in celebration of Valentine’s Day. My daughter and I were chatting in the car on the way home. We suddenly stopped and realized the laughter from the back seat. The boys, secure in their child seats, were bopping the balloons wildly at each other and laughing hysterically. It was one of those simple moments one is so thankful for when the cares of the day have overwhelmed you. I said to my daughter, “It’s the little things.” Thank you, Lord, for the little things that take our thoughts to a happy, safe place.
What has God given me to smile at today:
1) A husband who says ‘I’m lucky to have you’ every day
2) An only child daughter who heaps love on me
3) An only grandchild born on my birthday 3 1/2 years ago
who called yesterday to say “happy valentines day grandma…I love you”
4) The sun shining thru the palm trees while I see snow on the far mountains
5) health
6) a husband who share a love of our Lord with me
7) Christian friends to gather with
8) non Christian (Yet) to love and share with
9) songs in my heart and smiles on my face – contentment on this earth
10) finally (in mid life) finding that the Lord DOES love me isn’t a fairy tale and didn’t forget me when I was being abused as a child ~ but, rather kept me alive to volunteer in domestic abuse areas.
Being content . . . it is one of the characteristics I pray for daily. Having a stroke and being paralyzed and not being able to talk changed my outlook. Things I used to take for granted become goals to work towards during my rehab. Being able to “snap” my fingers was a goal (after I got to the point of starting to use my hand again), to be able to skip a rock on the water . . . to open the car door . . to remember how to cook. . . .to remember names. Less focus was put on others and what they had, but the focus was on Jesus and what He could teach me and so my rehab has been physical and spiritual.
Small things which have blessed my heart recently:
*The spring bulbs I see peeking up through the ground on my daily walks.
*The birds outside my window singing,eating,and justing sitting—all fluffed up with lots of downy feathers to keep them warm.
*The neighbor boy who stopped from his playing with a friend to tell me he lost a tooth that day.
*My 85 year old dad learning how to say “I love you” back to me when I tell him “I love you”.
*My puppy making muffled barks and noises in her sleep when she is dreaming.
*The sun shining through the windows the other day and my puppy snuggling up on the carpet in the spot of “sunshine” on the rug.
*The people I see or meet on my walks.
*The snow I can see on the mountains.
The list can go on and on. Such joy the Lord gives us. Spring is coming around the corner. It is a waking and a renewing. It is like us in the Lord.
I woke up this morning with the song “In the Presence of Jehovah” by Chondra Pearce running through my mind. The words that blessed me so greatly were “In the Presence of Jehovah, hearts are mended” I went to bed praying for my son who is in a spiritual and emotional crisis so to wake up with those words in my mind was a big blessing. The small blessing is the squirrel who entertains me by spinning the bird feeder so he can steal the sunflower seeds. The sound of my husband’s laughter is another blessing…too many blessings to count! Praise our God; he is an awesome God!
Things that God has scattered into my life simply to give me pleasure and make me smile…
1. My kids dimples and chubby cheeks!
2. I get to live in MSP near my family, which I prayed for for years.
3. I have great friends near me.
4. I really like my job and get to work right across the street from my kids school.
5. My husband’s desire to listen to me and give me what I want (even if its buffalo wings and chocolate for dinner!)
Comparison and entitlement is a trap that I will fight with every fiber of my being. No matter what my circumstances are – I can still be happy!
THE BIGGEST ONE FOR ME AND WILL ALWAYS BE NUMBER 1 IS:I AM ALIVE.
2) I HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME AND AM NOT LIVING ON THE STREET
3) I KNOW WHERE TO GO IF I NEED HELP WITH GETTING FOOD,CLOTHING,ETC.
4) I HAVE FAMILY WHO LOVE ME AND WHO I LOVE.
5) I HAVE FRIENDS WHO LOVE AND SUPPORT ME.
6) I CAN STILL GET AROUND EVEN THOUGH IT IS VERY HARD TO DO SOME DAYS I AM STILL MOBILE
7) I CAN STILL SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND ME. MY SIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I CAN READ GODS WORD
8) I CAN STILL HEAR. THERE AGAIN IT MEANS I CAN STILL HEAR GODS WORD
9) I CAN STILL SPEAK WHICH MEANS THAT I CAN SHARE GODS WORD
10) AND MOST IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT ABOVE ALL ELSE GOD LOVES ME AND HE ISN’T DONE WITH ME YET HERE ON EARTH
CHRIS T.