Beep, beep, beep.
The sound of my alarm jolted me awake in such a way that I immediately could feel the pounding lub-dub of my heart beating through my chest, and my hand flew blindly to silence the cruel shrieking.
I had slept like a rock, a really good, sound sleep, and in the face of pregnancy insomnia I was almost as ecstatic for my deep slumber as I was disappointed that it was time to drag myself out of the comfy and alluring indentation my body had made overnight in my aging mattress.
I was not a morning person, not at all, and for me the only way to pull myself out of the early hour fog was to hop in a steamy shower allowing the water to pelt me awake. I didn’t look forward to going to work anymore than I had celebrated climbing out of bed. And I wasn’t sure if it was pregnancy fatigue, the exhaustion of being a mom to littles, or simply awakening before the cock crowed that made it hard, but my motivational level was lacking big time. Huge.
But as I stood there rubbing top-line hair products through my frazzled mane I found myself smiling despite my weary, sore body. My slick hands slipped through my softened hair, and the heat of warm water cascaded over my aching back.
Thank you for hot showers and hair conditioner.
My smile broadened. Something about the act of appreciation, it changed everything. A reminder of the little things, the perfect, tiny gifts that splashed brilliantly throughout my day.
I was tired, but I had slept well.
I was sore and achy, but it was temporary. A temporary pain to gain my prize.
I had to work, but I could work. I was able to work, and able to work a part-time schedule.
My house was dirty, but it was mine. It was tiny, but only because it was crowded with so much love.
Pregnancy was sapping the nutrients straight out of my hair, but good conditioner was easy to find.
And that hot shower. It felt so good.
How many times did I miss out by focusing on the wrong thing? How often did I grumble over waking, and forget to be grateful for sleep? How many times did I complain over my circumstances, and miss the opportunities, the pleasures, and the sweet kisses of grace on my life?
I wondered how often I missed the blessings because I was too busy cursing?
It’s so easy to complain, to fret, to feel like life is lacking. But I suppose what’s easy isn’t always what’s best. Sometimes it’s harder to pluck the beauty from a heap of trash, but something about holding that gem cannot be compared. Finding something lovely in the midst of muck is most rewarding indeed.
It’s a hot shower on a blurry-eyed morning, and the knowledge that all the tiny gifts of life are just waiting for me to find. Waiting for me to take notice, and hold them tight.
There’s something refreshing and invigorating to the soul about discovering good news, and something rewarding about enjoying the mundane. For in the middle of busy schedules and lost sleep there’s a world of little nuggets waiting to be claimed. Waiting for us all to just say thank you.
So thank you for the little things, the big things, and all the things in between. Thank you for the things I see, and especially for those I do not. Thank you for the good, and thank you for the bad. Thank you that they all work together for my good. But for this morning, thank you in particular for hot showers and hair conditioner.