Things I loved today... banana bread, hearing the baby's strong heartbeat, smelling the fresh earth through an open window as the rain drizzled outside, watching my girls play together without arguing for more than an hour, having Brock say, "I love you, Mom" more than once, getting an unexpected phonecall from my sister {thanks, Steph!}, remembering fond memories of my inlaws home as today is their last day in it after 37 years there {Chip and I were married in the backyard of that home...}, eating a buy 1- get 1 free waffle dish from Marble Slab with Chip and kiddos, reading Isaiah chapter 40 and realizing what a gift it is to 'wait on the Lord' only to have Him renew your strength, seeing Wyndham so happy to join her friends at therapy for a field trip to the Childrens' Museum, getting kids into jammies knowing today was a gift with them and tomorrow will be another gift with them, giving them hugs and kisses and getting them right back, hearing my mom's voice on the answering machine saying, "Hi, this is Mom, I just called to talk..."It's the little stuff in life that often matters most of all. I am so blessed and I never want to take the little stuff for granted. Even fresh-baked banana bread.
28 comments:
I love it, too! Too bad that for us non-preggo's it definitely does not fit into the "trying to be a better me and lose weight" phase. :) Oh well. It's at least good to remember it's taste. Glad the baby's doing well!
I love little things in life too! They bring the most joy for me!
Thank you for reminding us daily to not take life for granted. God is good!!
~Dani
Hey girl,
Just a note here....did you know the Hebrew word for "wait" in that passage of scripture actually means "to bind up by twisting together..."
This is so cool! It means that as we get all tangled up with God, twisted together with Him like strands in a rope, He renews our strength! I used to think it meant just sitting around waiting on Him, but that's not the full picture. Now I think of getting so mixed up with Him that you can't separate us.
Way too cool! I thought you'd like that!
Blessings,
Cynthia
That banana bread looks really good! Wish I could come over for a slice:) Loved your post, great way to end my day!
Mmmmmmm, looks deli! One of the things I am grateful for today ~ reading Jody's Blog. Thank you!
I am thankful for Christian women willing to share their lives and just be real!
Julie
i love this post :) it is one of my favorites so far.
the house move of your inlaws must be such a big thing. i can imagine what it must feel like to not be able to revisit a place that holds so many memories.
and yes to what cynthia said, too! not only do i love that it means that, but that in my mind the word "twisted" brings connotations of hardship, confusion. that waiting isn't a gentle, placid affair.
i have such a good book i need to share with you, jody. i will be sending it your way soon :)
xxx
Yum!
Love,
Jane
Great post Jody. Showing gratitude for the little things is so important. Those are the things that can fuel us through the harder times.
Is that a Hello Kitty radio behind the banana bread? I LOVE it!!
Have a great day!
Elaine
I love, love, love warm bannana bread. I just wanted to say that I love reading your blog. it puts some challenging things in my life in perspective. God is so good and I am so glad we walk with him on a daily basis.
Hello Elaine~
You've got it! Being grateful in the good times helps to build the foundation we need when we fall on hard times. I love thinking about simple happiness and blessings. God is good...ALL the time!
And what you see behind the bread is a Hello Kitty toaster- given to me by a friend. =) We use it all the time.
Enjoy savoring the moments and little things!
Ooooo! I also have to add that I love the thoughts and commentary from Cynthia and Rhi on the word 'wait'. We often think it is so horrible and hard to wait. And it can be. But this insight and I know from experience, that when God is in the waiting with you, it can be a time of healing, comfort and renewal.
Thanks for blessing me with your words here today! I appreciate them.
Jody,
I hope you don't mind me taking a look at your blog, now and then. I found it through Angie Smith's. It's so strengthening to hear the testimonies of other "real" women, about our "real" God. He is so great. And thank you for the reminder about the simple things in life. I've really had to feast upon the small things, recently, and it's funny that once you see those small things, they don't seem so small anymore. "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." Alma 37:6
Thank you again,
Amelia
I couldn't agree more! God is in the little things. Sometimes I see more of God in a smile from my child then when I'm seriously trying to see Him.
He is good ALL the time.
I loved your post and I really want that Hello Kitty toaster for my girls!!!
I do enjoy slowing down and thinking about the little things in life that are often overlooked.
I am reading a book called, How to Raise Un-Selfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, by Jill Rigby, and she talks about just that very thing. To help your children see God in their life everyday. It's easy to see and hear Him during the "BIG" events of life, but we often forget He is the same God every day even in the little events we experience every day.
I enjoy your posts and find your outlook on life so refreshing.
One of my fondest memories of my great grandmother was her recipe for banana bread. I remember when I was little waiting in the kitchen for it to get out of the oven and then spreading some butter on it and drinking a glass of cold milk. I can still smell it! Also, when I lived in Denver my mom sold the house I grew up in. The week before she moved she flew me back in town to spend one last weekend in the house. Great closure for me. Hope all is well! Have a great weekend!
Love this post!!
I also love the look of that Banana bread loaf ~ my mum used to make them when I was little!!
love and hugs ~ TabithaXXXX
stumbled upon you via Bring on the Rain...
love your blog, and your story brought tears to my eyes, but such great hope... and joy for Jesus Christ!
That banana bread...looks stellar, and I too pregnant right now will probably now make some tommorow. :)
It is the little things....
nice to "meet" u
Yum...we had fresh warm banana bread with ice cream on it for dessert tonight! :)
I was just thinking tonight when I went to read with my oldest before bed...that the two of us reading Junie B. Jones (and giggling outloud at it!) and the prayers that came later were a moment I wanted to remember forever.
And you are right...today is a gift.
Blessings to you,
Holly
WOW - thanks for this post! I have been lurking for a while now, I just love the truth and simplicity of your messages. You are right!! Laura
Thanks for the passage and for making me see waiting in a whole new light. We have been married six years and we are still waiting for a child to bless our lives. I know I need to be patient. I read here daily and don't comment often, but I wanted today to say thank you. You have know idea how uplifting this little place I come to and read is. Thanks for your cute stories, your honesty, and your story.
it's 8:08 a.m. and my banana bread is baking! my girls were reading your post over my shoulder yesterday and pointed out to me that we had bananas that were in need of being made into bread! :) it smells yummy! :) it is the simple things that bring the most pleasure sometimes, isn't it?? :)
Thank you so much for the reminders on what is important in life. I have recently stumbled upon your blog and am uplifted everytime I read it! You and your family are a wonderful example of what a Christian family should be.
I LOVE banana bread! :)
The little things are what make up happy memories. Thanks for the reminder...
I'm so blessed to have found this blog. Just by reading your words, I feel like a better person. Gosh, that is Him working!
I lost my mom on April 22 and I will NEVER hear her on my machine again - glad you know what a gift that is. And you help me remember that life is short and that every day is a gift from the Lord.
Thanks for keepin' it real - cause most of us like it that way ;)
There is nothing like hearing that strong heartbeat!
Amen.. I don't think I could have said it better today!!!
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