happiness in the little things.

Joshua 1:9

As I sit here at McDonalds to take in my surroundings, I’m captured by the whiff of salty french fries, and enthralled by the sight of anxious, hungry customers impatiently standing in the line as they brace themselves for a delicious big mac and a large [$1] diet coke. I’ll never forget the memorable school mornings when my mom would take me to breakfast here and I would lick the remaining crumbs from the container that cradled a warm cinnamon roll. Even as a 5 year old, I’d always eagerly await the next time the golden arches would be in view a mile down the road. It makes people happy to get what they want, when they want it, and how they expect it, even if it’s for a short time.

I’m observing a rather typical customer will approach the counter already somewhat irritated with the long, tiresome 3 minutes of waiting in line, then to mumble their order to the newly hired front cashier; it seems to this “starving” customer that no matter how precise an order is spoken, they just never get it right. I’ll never understand why some people can get so upset with receiving more than they have paid for—maybe it’s a few extra fries, or an extra 4 count nuggets. What astonishes me is that the same food that can enrapture a hungry mouth and satisfy the eyes of a young child can also obliterate someone’s attitude and enrage them to anger beyond belief. This gives a “happy meal” an entirely different meaning!

But then, [thankfully] there are those customers who approach the counter with understanding and sympathy for those around them—especially the ones scrambling in the distance, as they appear stressed and overwhelmed. Aware of the aggravated individuals to their left and right, this customer is not easily disrupted by the negative attitudes of those nearby, but with compassion tries to identify ways to help, if not in the form of a smile or a quick hello, then maybe picking up the trash tossed from someone after trailing out the door.

It’s really easy to see the benefit of mirroring the example of the second customer, but way too often I think we slide into the position of the unhappy, unsatisfied individual whose focus is getting what they want, when they want it, and how they expect it. If we’re truly focused on reflecting the attitude of Jesus Christ and walking as He walked, the last thing on our minds will be our own comforts, our own desires, or our own will.

Psalm 31:19

A good friend of mine once reminded me that growing in faith means learning to let God define things for us and then to be willing to receive these things on His terms. God knows that the pitifully little thing we call happiness is nothing compared to the thing that really deserves that name, and it must surely be exasperating to Him to see us hang on to our “happiness” so tightly and pay so little attention to treasures that are incomparably more precious. Wouldn’t we be more mature spiritually if we let God tell us what these things really are and then let Him dispense these blessings to us on His terms and according to His wisdom?

I’ve come to realize this week that despite the occasional disappointments in this life, our greater reward can be found in trusting God’s ability to sustain His children and bring us home if we’re found to be living righteously in His sight.

Micah 6:8

Discovering happiness in the little things can really make a difference in not only our own lives, but in the lives around us. Little things make big things happen!