Simple Things

My mother-in-law was out and about today and she stopped by for a visit. Near the end of our conversation, as we stood by her car, we were discussing how we were nice and polite to people, well one person in particular. She is one of those people that tends to make us slightly cringe when she comes by or calls but we also recognize that she can't really help the way she is so we are nice and polite and listen intently. When she is done telling us all her woes we wish her well and tell her we hope things get better. We hope it makes her day better anyway. 

Then mom-in-law started talking about how she used to take her old dog, Max, to the park everyday for both of their daily walks. Sometimes, the children from the local area home for the severely handicapped were there and they loved to greet and pet Max, and he loved the attention. That dog would make their day that much more pleasant. It was a simple thing. . . allowing the dog to visit with children. . . but it made a big impact. Of course, we both got emotional and teary eyed because Max is now longer with us. He brought as much joy to her as he did to those children.

Don't you wish simple things like that made a big impact on us. I now wonder who is more blessed. The handicapped children who got joy out something as simple as a dog or those of us without handicap who have a gazillion things going on in our days.  We should be so lucky as to enjoy simple.

Lord grant us the vision to enjoy the small things in life. Let us enjoy victory in the smallest of progress. Let us share a smile, a kind word, or a pat on the back. Let us enjoy simple too. In your name I pray. Amen