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Have you ever looked back at a series of seemingly insignificant small steps that when observed revealed a noteworthy blessing found in a detour? I’m not talking about really big stuff. There are those kinds too.
I’m thinking more of minor changes in direction. Sometimes we look back at our day and think we derailed on a task or two – or maybe that’s just me. Forgotten focus.
But sometimes those little sidesteps off the straight line that trail off actually lead us onto a trail of blessing.
Searching
So I was searching for something. We’ll say cleaning because maybe that sounds better. While I was looking for a book, I discovered a box of Scripture cards. Greeting cards with lovely images and a Scripture passage on them.
Paused to look
Naturally I paused to look at them because that seemed spiritual. Then I remembered I had wanted to send a thank you card to someone who had done something nice for me. I also thought maybe this person could use some prayer.
I paused again. You didn’t think I’d actually miss this chance to do something for someone else did you?
Something good
Okay, so maybe I used it as an excuse to stop doing something that wasn’t super enjoyable. But I would like to think I did something good in that moment because even though I got distracted, I turned my thoughts toward a friend who could probably use some encouragement. A friend who might enjoy getting a hand written card in the mail letting her know she was being thought of.
I sat down with the box of cards and selected the one that I thought might speak to her. There were three to choose from.
Series of nudges
And I realized this was a series of nudges:
To start a task that led me to a bookshelf
To find a box of cards I had forgotten about, that now had a perfect use
To think of someone who had done something kind
To consider she might appreciate being thought of
To remember a need for which prayer might be appreciated
To discern which saying might speak to her heart
To find the words to write to her
Little things
All little things. At any point in the process the loop could have been broken, the task abandoned, the nudge ignored. But being open to recognize that maybe this was the Holy Spirit giving me a prompt, an opportunity to do something for someone who might benefit from my follow through on His gentle leading, was a gift.
So I wrote the card then placed it in the mailbox. Remember those?
Opportunity to pause
Then I saw the daffodils in the sun and the little purple flowers by the wooden path. I walked around to admire the tulips and watched a bird or two. I listened to the sounds of neighborhood construction projects and birds singing.
You might call this a detour. I call it a divine opportunity to pause, breathe, and rest in the beauty of God’s creation.
Listened to a nudge
All because I listened to a nudge to search for something.
God gave me more than I had been looking for. He gave me exactly what I needed.
So where or when have you made a detour and done something following a trail of little prompts?
Observe gifts of God
I don’t always do this sort of retrospection on my day. Perhaps that was a nudge too to review a few elements of my day. I think lately I’ve been seeking blessings in the middle of the mundane. Keeping my eyes open to observe the small gifts of God all around me.
Look for God’s hand
We may find ourselves in a season or circumstance where the scenery doesn’t change much. If we look for God’s hand in the midst of it, we open our hearts to seeing more of His heart speaking into our lives on a daily basis.
I’d like to be able to tell you that ever since that series of sweet connections that I’ve experienced many more of those since then, but truth is, I forget to look.
Holy Spirit’s nudges
And I realize, if I remember how the experience felt to discover the blessing in a small but heartfelt way, I am more likely to open myself up to the possibility of it happening again. And I think that posture of expectation opens the door to experiencing more of the Holy Spirit’s nudges.
Unexpected blessings
And then those daily detours become an opportunity to observe the unexpected blessings that come when we follow the lead of a gentle nudge.
And in those moments, may you also discover God gives you more than you had been looking for – you’ll see He gives you exactly what you need.
What do you need?
What do you need today?
To reach out and connect to a friend?
To pause and take in the gift of God’s creation?
To simply pause without any thought as to the next step?
To remember how God has moved in your life to bless you even in the small things?
A glimpse of the gifts
Whatever it is you need today, I pray you catch a glimpse of the gifts around you as God offers you exactly what you need.
Recent episodes of the Encouraging Voice Podcast:
A simple way to encourage someone
Prompted to send a note at just the right moment
