Thoreau writes that we often fail to appreciate the beauty that's above us... the sky. It's always around, but how often do we look up and soak up the beauty of the clouds, the sun, the moon, or the stars?
Lately, I've had to take a moment and realise the same thing about all good things. Everyday, goodness surrounds us, yet we don't always honour it. We just can't see the forest for the trees.
So, from 8 pm, 03 Feb through 8 pm, 04 Feb, I documented just how much goodness there is in 24 hours of my life:
Goodness is listening in fascination the lives of high schoolers over good tea and strawberry frap drinks at Starbucks.
Goodness is finding large chocolate bars on sale at Target.
Goodness is coming home to two dogs who adore you.
Goodness is trying to love my foster dog even though he doesn't understand his path of destruction makes me mad.
Goodness is the gift of Sri Lankan curry powder from a great friend that made for an awesome dinner.
Goodness is a night run to work off the above dinner.
Goodness is the gift of heat and a crackling fire on a chilly night.
Goodness is falling asleep cuddled with two dogs that can keep you warm.
Goodness is the rich, dark Honduran coffee that makes mornings somewhat better.
Goodness is a morning prayer on the ride to work....
...thinking of Dad enjoying some time with my 96 yr. old grandmother,
...blessing God for my expected niece or nephew, the health of my sister, and protection of my brother-in-law in Iraq,
...thankful for my godson and my goddaughter,
...and wishing peace and rest for their parents.
Goodness is our office's Systems Administrator for helping me find a temporary power cord after the dog chewed up the other one.
Goodness is reading my friends' FB statuses and everyone's random facts.
Goodness is the excitement over ten year plans and new ideas.
Goodness is someone else excited over his eight year plan.
Goodness is thinking that I may have had some small part in some people wanting to go back and serve in Honduras.
Goodness is finding Christians wanting to exemplify their faith more than preach dogma.
Goodness is working with a boss and a team that has his back. ALWAYS.
Goodness is lunch in the breakroom, which surprisingly didn't swerve into the usual categories of childbirth, toilet humor, drug use, or sex.
Goodness is talking about the yumminess of papusas.
Goodness is trying to stir a jar of oil-separated organic peanut butter while everyone comes in every minute to ask me why I'm doing it.
Goodness is sneaking pieces of chocolate from Mary R's candy bowl.
Goodness is Mary G's help in straightening my collar and our ability to make sarcastic comebacks.
Goodness is mac and cheese with hot dogs.
Goodness is seeing great things being done in youth ministry and the new energy behind it, even though part of me misses it.
Goodness is feeling even more validated the right choice was made.
Goodness IS THE EUCHARIST.
Goodness is feeling some youth were actually happy to see me.
Goodness is chocolate milk and reading e-mails from good friends.
Goodness is hoping that all of you can take a moment and appreciate the simple goodness in your life.
