Relationships: Through the Eyes of Children
If you look at the world with the eyes of a child,
There is joy in the simplest thing,
From the green of a leaf on the earliest tree
To the curve of a bird on the wing.
If you look at the world with the eyes of a child,
There are miracles filling each day,
From the grass which mysteriously sways in the wind
To the gold in the sun’s friendly ray.
If you look at the world with the eyes of a child,
There is wonder beyond any measure,
From the stars and the moon in the evening sky
To the sparkle of a dewdrop treasure.
– Maryjane Tonn
I love how children take such joy and delight in the everyday things of life. From a babies giggle to sprinkles on top of the ice cream cone to a handful of cheerful yellow dandelions picked to be displayed in glory on the counter. The little moments of happiness and sheer gladness over the simple yet everyday tasks or items in life. Learning how to use or do something for the first time brings a great happiness to a child.
As an adult there is so much my children and other children can remind me. There is so many blessings all around us. Too often I take those good things that God gives me for granted. I know I don’t take enough time to focus on the blessings and goodness that I see around me.
Being around kids especially small ones for extended periods of time is exhausting yet rewarding. Their energy and excitement is contagious. I am thankful for my kids and the little ones that I have had the opportunity to spend time with because they remind me of the true treasures in life that I have been given. Thank you little ones!
Giveaway: Autographed “Born Again” CD by Newsboys
I am thrilled to announce a new giveaway on Blessings Multiplied! The winner of this giveaway will receive an autographed “Born Again” CD by Newsboys! Jake and I were able to hear them live in concert. It was so neat hearing them sing then meeting all the members of the band. They have a lot of great songs on this CD including – Born Again, One Shot, Way Beyond Myself, Impossible, Build Us Back, Escape, Miracles, Running to You, On Your Knees, Mighty to Save, and more (a few links to the songs on YouTube are included for you). Here’s how to enter the giveaway:
- Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied. Sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email or like on Facebook.
- You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing what type of music you enjoy the most.
All comments must be made by May 31st at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.
Song: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless
We were able to see Kutless in concert during our Valentine’s Date at Winter Jam in Greenville, SC. It was neat to hear their songs that night. Since then several of their songs have been ringing through my head, this is one of those songs. We all fall and make mistakes, however, it’s how we pick ourselves up that matters. Having faith in something so much greater than ourselves gives us the additional strength and hope we need to get through any situation. We have the privilege of seeing miracles happen when we have faith that God can and will provide exactly what we need.
A Little Purple Flower
Those who know me have heard this story many times. The other day as I was reflecting on my life and the many blessings in it my thoughts drifted back to this moment several years ago that so deeply stirred my heart. I want to share this story with you to provide encouragement for those tough days.
When I was in college I had an experience that left a lasting imprint on my heart and life. Sometimes God uses the “tiniest” blessings to uplift and encourage us. It had been a rough week at college with a lot of projects, tests, work, and activities. I was a little more stressed than normal and homesick. I had just checked my mailbox and once again it was empty. As I quietly walked back to my dorm room I noticed a group of preschool children from the daycare nearby coming my direction walking in a single file line with their teachers. The kids were talking, laughing and full of life. Right as I was walking past them one little boy yelled “STOP!” The whole line of kids, teachers, and myself stopped as he bent over at the edge of the sidewalk, looked at the ground, then started jumping up and down while yelling excitedly “LOOK I FOUND A PURPLE FLOWER!” What he had found was the tiniest little purple flower attached to a weed on the edge of the sidewalk.
Everyday that week I had walked by those purple flowers but yet I was so focused on my own life, problems, and thoughts that I had failed to stop and notice the little purple flowers in my life. Those purple flowers represent a multitude of blessings God sends my way to remind me (even in the tough times) that He loves me. Often he uses the beauty of His creation to capture my attention but it could be many other blessings in my life that I didn’t stop to appreciate. I never walked down that sidewalk again without looking for a purple flower and this moment has been etched in my mind as a reminder for me to continue looking for those purple flowers.
There have been seasons in my life since that time when I had to look closely at the weeds (metaphorically speaking) to find a beautiful purple flower in the midst of the trial. It was a simple illustration of God’s love shining through that little boy to remind me how truly blessed I am. This moment made a priceless impact on my life and even though life isn’t always easy I know God cares enough to send even a tiny purple flower across my path.
I want to encourage you if you are going through a rough season. It’s okay to have tough days, God still loves you, cares about you, and is reaching out to show you blessings (no matter how big or tiny) everyday. Although, you may have to look harder for those little purple flowers on the side of the walkway in the middle of the weeds you can rejoice in those little miracles of encouragement. Take a moment today to reflect on the purple flowers in your life.
Photo by donjd2
