Simple Things Bring Joy

The night before I needed to run some errands my sweet daughter messaged me.  She volunteered to chauffeur me in case there were no parking places or just to spend time together.  Wow!  What an unexpected blessing for this mama.

Sure enough at stop number one, there were no parking places at the doctor’s office.  After dropping me off at the front door my daughter proceeded to look for one farther away in where we dubbed “The South Forty.” By the time she sauntered through the door  I had signed in and was talking insurance.

The wait for the Lab took longer than usual.  Today it did not matter as mother and daughter chattered away.  She told me tales of her family and how a stranger praised my grandson for his manners and character.  The stranger went on to reaffirm my daughter was doing a good job in her mothering.  Even though I knew this it was a beautiful thing to hear someone else noticed it, too.

Finally I was called back and my daughter adjusted her long stride to match that of my short one.  I dread having bloodwork done because I am what they call “a hard stick.”  Cheerful conversation helped take my mind off of this.  My usually temperamental veins were cooperative and yielded blood easily.  Prayers answered.  Leaving my daughter hurried to deliver her van right to the door.  What a thoughtful daughter.

The remaining errands were routine but still much nicer because they were shared.  I even felt better physically.  Since I was required to fast, she decided a trip through the coffee shop drive through as well as another was in order.  We couldn’t go inside because groceries filled the back of her van.

All morning we laughed, giggled, shared, and had a lovely time.  Ending in my driveway we settled in the van, talked, drank coffee, and ate miniature biscuits which we dipped in gravy.  My daughter said “you know what would make this perfect? If a deer came into the yard.”  That happens often.  She loves seeing all of the wildlife that grace our land, but I believe deer are her favorite.

It was already perfect for me.  I was happy, peaceful, joyful, and felt loved by my daughter and my Heavenly Father.  He provided this day and time which I really needed.  It was hard to leave the sanctuary of her van and our quality time.

Joy can be found in so many places and things.  For me, joy is spending time with my daughter.  Apparently it was spending time with me for her.  Later that night she texted me to say how much she needed our time together.

She has no way of knowing that while we sipped our coffee that I traveled back in time.  I recalled how close we have always been, my hopes and prayers for her, and realized she is the extraordinary woman I wanted her to be.  She is a wonderful Christian woman and mother.

Please think about who needs you to bring joy into their lives.  Bless them today.  It doesn’t need to cost you much or anything.  A phone call, offering to chauffeur them on errands, a coffee date, or even sitting in a car chatting might bring them much joy.  It did me.  I am thankful for my daughter everyday.  God is so good.  Isn’t He?