1/21/16

Little Things in the Big Picture


"Enjoy the little things, but never forget the big picture."



yes, I did just quote my own instagram caption, don't judge.

Yesterday I started my first day of my second semester of college, and it felt much different than the first semester. Somehow I have this feeling of joy about things to come. This joy comes from a sense of mission for the gospel, the comfort of friends around me, and the promise of new adventures around the corner. It comes from smiling at the little things while never forgetting the big picture.

For I can easily miss both the little joys and the eternal plan.

And so I want to look around. To laugh with the little things and keep my eyes focused on God's Story. For Christ is with us here and now, but He is so much bigger than here and now.



He's in the little things like:

>the way the sunset plays outside the window in the ballet studio, surrounding the bare trees with pinks and purples.

>the tidbits of conversations that fill my first days of class, talk of welcome and introductions.

>the pieces of cold cookie dough that I spoon out of the bowl, crunchy sugar paired with creamy butter and chocolate chips.

>the giggles that erupt from listening to High School Musical in honor of its 10th anniversary. (Now I feel old!)

>the satisfaction of wearing pearls, especially the huge, real, pearl earrings I got for Christmas.

>the still stars at the end of a long day, stars that each stand for a promise, that each testify to God's faithfulness.



But I also want to train my soul to see the bigger story, for God is writing the Story of the world in ways like:

>the conversations that lead to relationships that lead to grace-sharing opportunities

>the encouragement I give and receive for God's Kingdom with new and old dear friends. 

>the way God's Word I read aligns with what happens in my day and even what songs I end up listening to. 

>the sense of joy in God's mission, which is a new development for me. 



Friends, as I sit here in my pjs at the end of my second day back, I feel so thankful. I'm thankful for the little things and for the big things. And I'm thankful for you. Truly. You're going to see a few changes here on the blog, namely, I want to post shorter things more often, but I'm putting my hope in Jesus and want this blog to be an outflow of that!

Here's to little things in a big picture. Let's chat in the comments about the little things going on in your life and the big picture that God shows you!

Princess Hannah
Hannah
17 Comments

17 comments:

  1. Thanks for this reminder!
    -Madison
    www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love this! I love all those little things you mentioned. Some seem like big things to me! Like the stars, oh I love them so much! And don't they just make you want to shout out praise to the One who made them! And the third big thing you noted, I notice that all the time, and it's so amazing isn't it? I might even call that a little thing, but I now you were probably looking for more things to put into the list of big things to sort of even them out. ;) Okay, so a little thing I love is when kids hold grab my hand and rush around with me. Melts my little heart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoops, meant to back space that "hold." Whatevah.

      Delete
    2. Yeah, I guess that would be a little thing, but I put it under big because it is drilling a big theme into my life, God's sovereignty and mission.

      And yes, little girls hugging me is the best, I can' believe I forgot that!

      Delete
  3. I love the little things <3 love love love them. I love smiling at people in the hall at school. I love when my friends bring me IKEA cinnamon rolls. I love hugs from my little sister. I love getting lost in a book. I love the way the world looks from the viewfinder of my camera. I love the way snow falls ever so lightly. I love all these little things <3

    btw, I adore this post. so perfect :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YOUR LIST IS SO WONDERFUL! I can echo almost every one of those things except a) we don't have an IKEA around here, and b) it doesn't snow either.

      But thank-you so much Faith!

      Delete
  4. "yes, I did just quote my own instagram caption, don't judge." Hannah, you're the cutest. xD

    I love everything that you mentioned!! (The fact that HSM is 10 years old makes me feel absolutely ancient. That's so, so weird.)

    I love when Pandora seems to pick the absolute perfect songs. I love big comfy sweatshirts when it's super cold out. I love long conversations with good friends. I love starting fun Bible studies. I love working teaching little kids how to dance and the feeling when you can see something click in their mind. I love afternoons spent with a good book.

    I love reading your blog. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THESE THINGS ARE LIKE THE VERY BEST! All of them. Grace, why did you just write out my personality in a comment?

      And yes, I did listen to a bit of HSM. I still know the lyrics to several songs too!

      Delete
  5. Aw, that's so sweet that you appreciate all the little things too. XD Sometimes they're easy to overlook and forget, right?!? :) Also this post was sooo nicely written, you're amazing!!
    Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DEAR COMMENT!!!! And yes, the little things are so important and also just plain fun when we look for them!

      Delete
  6. This is so encouraging to me! Sometimes I just look at all of the big problems in my life and I don't look at all of the blessings of the time of my life that I am in right now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! THis made me think of White Christmas' song, "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep!" SO thankful you found this encouraging!

      Delete
  7. Such a good reminder to appreciate both!!!! <3 I look forward to the changes happening here soon. ^-^ Thankful for you, your posts are an encouragement to me xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *smiles in gratitude for your comment* Yes, both are so important! And I'm excited for this slight change in direction too! Thank-you so much for your encouragement; it really means a lot to me!

      Delete
  8. I discovered your blog through blog hopping, and I am absolutely in love with this post. It's so important to look at the little things in life, but enjoy the bigger picture and messages in this beautiful world. You have a new follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WELCOME TO GRACE IN EVERYTHING! I am so glad that we can be friends now and that you found these little words encouraging! Thanks for following!

      Delete

No