Most days in my life are incredibly ordinary.  In fact, I am outrageously ordinary.  I am average on about every scale.  Average build.  Average hair.  Average intelligence.  Average physical ability.

Some of my largest struggles in life – striving for greatness, attempting to overcome the ordinary.

Until I finally began asking myself this question.

What if instead of trying to work long and hard, making myself exhausted in an attempt to become something I was not created to be, I tried to just savor what was placed before me?

What if all of these ordinary moments are actually extraordinary wonders?

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)

So everything good thing that happens to us comes from God.  I must admit that I give God so very little credit for all of the good He gives me.  I can thank God for the big things.  The test results that come back indicating that my family and I are ok.  The financial hurdles that are over come by His provision.  Making it through really stressful times in relationship conflicts.

But what about all these “ordinary” things that happen in my plain old days?

I was pondering this last night as I was browning some ground beef for tacos.  What in this small ordinary act of making dinner was good that I could savor and praise God for.  Here’s what I came up with.

We had all the ingredients we needed.

We had all of the needed dishes, tools and equipment, along with the power needed to make them work.

I have the knowledge and skills needed to prepare these items.

I have the ability to stand and walk around, which creates an ease of accessibility.

I am blessed with two children who are willing and able to assist me.

My actions of cooking remove some of the burden from my husbands shoulders after a long day of work.

I know bellies will be filled and laughter shared at our family dinner.

My act shows love to those around me.

Look at all that I can praise God for because of a small ordinary act on an average day.   I have one thing to say, WOW!

What are some things in your life that have gotten to feel mundane and ordinary?  Can we look at them today in a new light, as an extraordinary wonder that is good?  Can we praise God for all those good things in each moment?

I say, today we give it a try and see what happens.

Dearest Lord,

Thank You so much for all the Good and Amazing gifts what You abundantly pile up for each of our days.  You are truly extraordinary! 

Lord, please open our eyes and our hearts that we may really see and experience all that You have for us.  Help us to not just wait for the extremes to praise You and take note.  May we be joyfully bringing glory to You all the time because we are so captivated by the goodness that we can not even begin to keep track of.

In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen.