Acts of Gratitude for Ordinary DaysSample

Beauty for Ordinary Days

“Mom, why did you buy flowers?”

Reaching for the last grocery bag in the trunk, I peered over my shoulder at my son as he approached from around the corner of the house, “Because I have an empty vase.”

“That’s not a reason to buy flowers,” Jon scoffed as he took two bags so I could balance my bouquet and the last bag and still close the trunk.

“Honey, that’s a perfect reason to buy flowers. Now, tell me about guitar practice,” I said as we both turned to lug the groceries to the house.

I’d bought the blooms on a whim, pausing on my way through the grocery store floral department to breathe in the wafting scent of dozens of bouquets. Looking past roses and lilies, my eyes snagged on the small bunch of mini carnations as I thought of the trio of milk glass bud vases tucked away in my cupboard, waiting to be used.

It was an ordinary day in an ordinary week. And a younger version of me would have ­scoffed—​­both at the mundaneness of carnations and at the waste of money to have fresh flowers on my kitchen island. But this version of me is learning to slow down, to use the pretty vases kept hidden away, to notice the beauty of God’s creation surrounding us, even on regular days.

It’s easy to race through our days, weeks, or seasons, intent on tasks, obligations, and chores, so focused on accomplishing our ­to-​­do lists that we forgo little pleasures, believing either that they are a waste of energy or that we don’t deserve them. Searching out beauty on ordinary days is an act of worship when we pause to acknowledge and appreciate God’s handiwork. It can bring our thoughts back to God and help us recognize his sovereignty and his creative genius.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Search for beauty as you go about your tasks, pausing to acknowledge God’s authority and thanking him for creating both the practical and the beautiful.