Small things

My day starts early and dark.  Sunrise is after 7:30am and here I am awake two hours before one of the biggest stars in the sky rolls out and upstages the rest.  
I rise, finding my robe, slippers and the stack of books I'm feasting on I make my way down the stairs.  My eyes are slow to respond to the kitchen light as I look for a mug suitable to fit the ideal blend of coffee, maple syrup and almond milk.  
The same simple start to my day begins in the stillness of home.  

​"For who has despised the day of small things?"

I came across this verse in Zachariah recently and since my life consists of numerous small things (people and duties) I've been encouraged by the announcement the Lord made taking pleasure in them. 
If He is pleased in the little things, then shouldn't I be?  If my flipping pancakes and pouring orange juice brings Him pleasure, how can I lack zeal in partnering with the smallest of jobs?  If it's in the sweeping of the hallway and braiding of doll hair for a child that makes Him glad, then who am I to despise a day of small beginnings?  When I hold the hand of a girl growing fast and link arms with another walking down the middle of our vacant road, He is glorified.  He is glad in the board books read three times over and in the matching of socks load by load.  
For this reason I will not make light of rubbing noses with a still squishy boy or setting a table special for no special reason.  I will delight in what He delights in.  The simple and small. 

"8:20 - Meet in living room for bible time" - Written in the notebooks of the children attending homeschool under this roof, and although the time has slowly elbowed it's way nearer nine o'clock, I'm happy to say we continue to meet regardless.  

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."  Psalm 19

There are days we are called to study His word curled up cozy on the couch and there are days He whispers, show them, and I am elected boot tier, mitten finder and coat zipper(er).  Our study time is shifted to a real life observation as we crunch through ice layered field grasses.  Once swayable and free from their now restrained and brittle death beds we make our way into the stretch of field behind our home.  A nest from summer's claim hints to us a family of Red-winged black birds vacationed here.  Fixed to a clump of marsh reeds, abandoned and stiff we inspect the little home.  The air is cold and painful to breath in.  We must keep moving to stay warm.     

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10

The conversation is whispers.  Near silent talk of how only a magnificent God could create all of this.  Only the one true God could make stiff hay bales smell sweet and earthy.  Only the God of creation would fasten tightly berries to branch for a mid-winter snack for some pilgriming songbird.  Only God could draw us in by taking us out and showing us all He has made.      
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We spend the next hour in play, taking in what is meant for our pleasure and giving it back to God through our delight.  When we delight in the small things we openly acknowledge His presence in our life, and He is pleased.