The Little Things

The Little Things

By Sarah K
   This year, I am thankful for the little things. For the brilliant colors of the sunrise I can now see out my window every morning, lighting up the world, and giving me hope. For the hugs from my little sister. For the tentative smile I shared the other day with someone I thought I would never be able to forgive. For the smell of smoke on the air as my family shouts and screams while watching football. For the school everyone thought wouldn’t happen, but inconceivably did, all 50 kids growing as close as family. For not only the laughter, but the feel of my friend’s hand on my shoulder that speaks louder than words, as my world seems to shake on its foundations. For that moment in my impatience and self-pity, when the realization hits that I’ve been carried all along, and the God I thought had abandoned me taps me on the shoulder, and points out He’s always been there. For those ethereally short, but shining moments, when I meet a friend’s smile, and there’s only the two of us. For the strangely freeing tears over someone else’s heartache, because it only makes my heart bigger, even though the stretching hurts. For all the ways His Creation amazes me, from the slippery coolness of water in mid-summer Arizona heat, to the discovery of a flower blooming in the midst of weeds, to that supremely exciting day it is first under 100 degrees, and that feeling of breathtaking awe and yet peace underneath a night sky not tainted by city lights.  For all the little things that have suddenly become big, like my family sharing dinner together (for once) and sharing a moment of hilarity. For the ridiculously embarrassing moments when my face is as red as a beet as my friends and I pile into a group hug, and I feel like I’m going to burst, because I love them so much. But most of all, I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to look back, and see - half-ashamed that I missed it before and half in awe of the sheer wonderfulness of it all - the miracles God provided, the times I swore I couldn’t make it, but He carried me through, and all the moments that His Love burns out like a brilliant fire: a testament to the fact that I am His beloved child. And for that, my gratitude will never be enough – but He knows what I mean, anyways.