The Little Things

The Little Things (11-25-2020) by Michael “Adam” Edward Will

I love the sound and sensation of my wedding ring hitting the side of my coffee mug

As I bring it up to my face, to drink in the morning.

The sound of the ocean playing on my speakers

As I try to drown out the many distractions already in my mind.

That smell of coffee filling my nostrils, awakening my senses

Can you smell it? It’s the scent of a fresh new day!

A chance to revel in God’s goodness

To curl up in his comfort

To press on in the fight against darkness

And to care for the hurting.

The sound of my fingers hitting the keys as I type away…

I’m rough with the keyboard but only because the passion behind my fingers.

I have to get these thoughts out before they escape, wafting through the air like the scent of coffee flowing through the kitchen

Then the question comes to mind: will I share these thoughts?

Are they for me to ponder alone or are they for others? Will I even save this or crumple it into the digital waste basket as so many before?

These are the moments that I treasure.

God, coffee, Bible, book, pen, and keyboard.

This is my refuge. This is where I am reminded that You are still God.

Will you come with me today? Walk with me as I go about my day?

To study, make calls, run errands, play with my children and embrace my wife?

Will you last with me longer than the coffee? Linger near me while I sit in contemplation.

Oh keep me from melancholy and direct my thoughts heavenward.

Lift my spirits as I follow Your Spirit.

For it’s in the little things that I find You, Oh Lord, today.

Defiantly Joyful II

As I sit on the couch the kids are (slowly) settling down.
My youngest snoozes beside me while my older two fight rest, though they have had such a full day.
I have Christmas music playing on my TV and a small tree is lit up in the corner of the far room.
The roast didn’t get done in time for dinner so it we had PB&J.
The neighbor dog knocked over our trash.
And here I sit, frustrated and smiling at once:
Still defiantly joyful.

Many friends are fretting that they either will miss or modify family plans.
Still others complain of government orders
While some pretend we aren’t in a worldwide pandemic.
But here I sit.
Taking in deep breaths, not knowing how to help others.
Breathing out my anxieties and remembering that Jesus is still King.
And so that is why
I am still defiantly joyful.

This year has brought a lot to so many friends and loves ones.
Death, divorce, diabetes, despair.
Job loss, education loss, and I’m sure lots of hair loss.
I’m not without scratches, dents or bruises.
But I reflect, defiantly joyful.

You see, the wonder of Christmas,
That I celebrate all year-round
Is that Jesus became one of us
To move into our community
To live, to die, and to live again.
He loved us so much he came.
And some day, he will come again.
How, no one really knows though some think they do.
But when he comes, or if I go to him first,
I’ll meet him defiantly joyful, as all melts into the worship and the rule of my King.

So I don’t know what’s racing through your mind
As you scroll through tweets and posts and pics.
It’s easy, almost certain, that you’ll get riled or miffed or peeved.
Instead, remember the one who came, lived, died, and rose again.
And that in you, oh Christ-follower, he lives as well.
And then, you too, in defiance of this broken world, may be joyful.

Defiantly Joyful

As I sit in my home office and look out the window right now at 5PM, I see the light of the sun reflecting off the hills as it sets behind me.
I see the golden glow of freshly worked fields, ready to lie fallow for the winter.
I see the freshly barren trees glistening in the last bit of daylight.
I see the shadows from the houses and trees creep steadily across the fields.
I see the neighbors coming home from a long day of work, letting their dogs out to explore before all becomes dark.
I see the brown leaves settling in the brush-hogged hayfield and the deep greens of rich grasses and the barn roof.
I hear the faint giggles and joyful exclamations of children.
Did God not get the memo? It’s 2020!
And yet, I find myself
Defiantly Joyful

The week has been long and it’s only Wednesday. I am ready to curl up in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot tea and listen to piano music.
The world is in chaos. Truthfully it always has been.
Some people rise above and attempt to tame the chaos.
Not me, no I am a mouse of a man.
But one thing I am this evening:
Defiantly Joyful.

And I do not know what tomorrow brings.
Sorrow, foolhardy confidence, or rain
But one thing I will remain is
Defiantly Joyful

It doesn’t come from within
Within is in shambles.
No, it comes from without me.
From my King, Christ.
So until He comes I will be
Defiantly Joyful