Small Joys in April
/Lately I’ve been trying my best to focus on small joys that bring me happiness and peace in every ordinary day. Here are a few for April (so far):
Glimpses of true spring weather. Oh, Montana. Sometimes I think you’re as indecisive as I am, which is probably why we’re a good match. This time of year, especially, the weather seems to be locked in a dance of one step forward, two steps back. Even so, spring is undeniably here. The golden hour in the evening stretches in long fingers of shadow and light across our front yard, and in the morning (my favorite time of day in the spring), the house is pale as the sun rises, and I can hear the birds waking up. There might be snow on a Tuesday morning, but by afternoon, it has melted into the grass, which is greener with every passing day.
Having books I look forward to reading. On my list right now is The Boys in the Boat (the audiobook is especially good, and I have the added benefit of looking forward to watching the movie when I’m finished listening to the book) and the soon-to-be-released Emily Henry book Funny Story.
Daily Gospels. Last year in April, I participated in a “Read the gospels in a month” challenge put on by speaker and writer Annie F. Downs. While I liked the challenge, and was proud of myself for completing it, I must admit that my reading felt a little surface-level; like I was reading simply to cross the task off my list to say I’d done it, rather than reading to really think deeply about God’s word. At the beginning of this April, I was going to start this challenge again, but I quickly took a different approach: Instead of reading all four gospels in April, I decided to just read one chapter a day—so basically, reading ONE gospel each month for the next four months. Annie F. Downs published this guided journal recently, and after I read the chapter (this morning it was Luke 10), I’ll answer one of the journaling prompts. Reflecting in writing to what I’m reading in the Bible has been very life-giving. Maybe for those of you who read your Bible all the time, this is a ‘no duh’ statement! I’ve read quite a bit of the Bible, but I’ve never really paired journaling and Bible reading, and for me, journaling is definitely one way that I talk to God. Since pairing these two things, my writing time has become much more meaningful.
Watching my son, Peter, become a two-year-old. Peter turned two on April 2nd—his Golden Birthday! I know I’m biased, but he really is a remarkable TWO. These days, some of my favorites about him include:
Listening to him sing. Making up words to match tunes he knows, like “Jingle Bells,” “Hickory Dickory Dock,” and even an old Irish song “The Rattlin’ Bog”.
Watching him try to find words to tell us something. He knows so MANY words, but I really love seeing his little face screw up in concentration as he thinks about how to tell us what he wants us to know.
Seeing more and more imaginative play. Sometimes I’ll think Peter is talking to me as we’re hanging out in the kitchen, but then I’ll pause and realize he’s actually narrating some game he’s got going on! He even likes to pretend that he’s his favorite characters sometimes—telling us that right now, he’s not Peter, he’s Daniel Tiger. All in all, one of the greatest joys of parenthood is seeing a little person’s mind grow and develop—right in front of you!
What is bringing you joy this April, small or large?
Sending you peace and strength for each and every ordinary day.
Thanks for reading.
Beth