#joy

life’s little things

/ Joy Lenton / 2 Comments

“Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps.” — Sharon Draper

Joy can be found in the most ordinary, seemingly insignificant circumstances if we have eyes to notice its presence, and open our minds and hearts to it. 

Life’s little things are not little at all. They’re the warp and weft threaded through our days, even the difficult ones. They support us when big problems hit. 

They’re what matters most because most of our lives are made up of lots of little things we often fail to appreciate when we only notice and chase after the bigger things.


What matters most

it’s the little things:

the early morning rays
falling soft across your face
the cup of coffee you inhale
to help blow the cobwebs away
the first bite of hot buttered toast
it’s the little things that matter most 

it’s the little things:

birdsong’s sweet melodies 
sheets freshly made up clean 
smiles, big hugs and snuggles
with your beloved ones 
making precious memories
your heart will treasure and keep 

it’s the little things:

rainbows and rolling streams
each season’s new offerings
celebration, laughter, and songs
you’ll enjoy and sing all life long 
nature’s sacred calm and peace
blessings of hope and sweet relief 

it’s the little things:

far too numerous to count
far too important to miss out
they are life’s vital heartbeat
like having good rest and sleep 
it’s the little things that matter most 
to the young, middle aged, and old
© joylenton


Life’s little things are the icing on the cake. The sparkle of champagne that tingles and lingers on the tongue. The warm glow of kindness, friendship and love.

Little things are manifold blessings being manifested. The evidence of God’s presence, His goodness and grace in our everyday lives.

When life’s not-so-good little things arise: the setbacks, problems and difficulties that cause us stress and anxiety, it helps to focus more on life’s small, uplifting pleasures and joys.

 “Delight in the little things.” — Rudyard Kipling

rain: learning to dance in life’s rainfall

/ Joy Lenton / 2 Comments

“And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.” — Gilbert K. Chesterton


We’ve been blessed with a summer of mostly bright blue skies and unprecedented heatwaves in the UK, yet it’s left us desperate for the slightest sign of rain. Grass is as tinder-dry as straw, and leaves and plants are wilting into an early autumnal response.

When it did eventually rain recently, I watched with awe and felt like I wanted to dance in it. The air became clean and fresh and our hearts lifted. The sight, the sound, the joy of it was palpable.

Though there are times in our lives when joy departs and we feel as if we’re living under a dark cloud. One that temporarily blocks the sun or stays around for weeks and months.

It’s hard to savour the changing seasons if our souls stay parked in winter, but the poem below encourages us to maintain a brighter perspective as we look to the Source of all things who gives us hope to start again.

Let the rain fall

let the rain fall
let it saturate my soul
soft morning dew
mists of your holy breath
daisy fresh and mountain-hewed 

let the rain come
from darkened skies or touched
by rays of sun
may I open up my heart
ready to receive each drop

let the rain speak
as it fills me to the brim 
with inner joy
the kind that cannot be faked
and nothing can destroy

let the rain glisten
bright dewdrops from heaven
tiny little pearls
miniature gifts from above
reminding me of your love

let the rain quench
the thirst I have inside
assuage the ache
in the places hard and dry
and sluice away my mistakes
© joylenton

Perhaps we can learn to splash in the puddles and dance in the rain, and face the deluges and showers in our lives with equanimity. Whether they’re sudden and slight or prolonged and persistent, we can deliberately look for the joy and the light, the relief and reprieve, the comfort and calm, the rainbow promises which God brings to all hurting hearts.

Rain will come. We can’t always be prepared for it. As soaking sheets or delicate showers, rain won’t always be welcomed by us, but we can remind ourselves of the cover, the umbrella protectiveness which God provides over us with His overseeing care, compassion and love. Then we can say, “Let the rain fall.” with the courage, confidence and resilience which faith and hope bring to reassure us that all will be well.

“Healing rain is a real touch from God. It could be physical healing or emotional or whatever.” — Michael W. Smith

NOTE: This poem was extracted from my Sacred Noticing e-book which is on offer at Amazon from 02/09/22 to 07/09/22 as my birthday gift to you! If you would like a reminder of sunnier days, there’s a free printable pdf below of a poem called ‘Life on pause’ which is also extracted from Sacred Noticing. And you might like to read my first foray into fiction with a short story about a boy who dared speak the truth. Blessings and love. Xx 🙂 ❤

Life on pause poem by Joy Lenton