“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
Some days don’t come wrapped in ribbons of excitement or grand achievement. Most of our days—especially as moms—come in the small, ordinary moments: folding laundry, packing lunches, helping with homework, or cleaning crumbs off the floor for what feels like the hundredth time.
But it’s in these quiet, often unnoticed moments that God hides His sweetest joys.
When Joy Looks Like a Messy Kitchen
I remember a day when my kitchen looked like a tornado had spun through it. Pancake batter splattered on the counter, a trail of syrup footprints leading to the fridge, and laughter echoing from my little ones as they proudly declared themselves “chefs.”
My first instinct was frustration—but in that messy, sticky chaos, the Lord whispered:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
I realized those syrup footprints were evidence of life, love, and laughter in my home. Joy wasn’t waiting for me at the end of a perfect day, but it was right there in the imperfect one.
When Joy Looks Like Waiting
Sometimes, joy isn’t loud or instant. It’s quiet. It’s what blooms in the waiting.
Like the time I prayed for weeks that my teenage daughter would open up to me again. One night, as I sat folding laundry, she came in, plopped down on the bed, and began to talk. We laughed, we cried, and I silently thanked God.
“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” — Psalm 126:5
That night was a small miracle. God had been working in the quiet, in the in-between.
When Joy Looks Like Ordinary Faithfulness
There’s joy in faithfulness! That is just showing up again and again, even when no one notices. God sees every small act of love:
- The mom who stays up late praying for her child.
- The woman who serves her family without complaint.
- The one who holds on to hope when her heart feels weary.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9
Joy isn’t just a feeling as it’s a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It grows quietly when we abide in Him, even on days that feel monotonous or heavy.
Choosing Joy Daily
Joy doesn’t always come naturally; it’s a choice. Every morning, we can choose gratitude over grumbling, peace over panic, and praise over perfection.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I’ve learned that joy often looks like:
- A quiet cup of coffee before the house wakes up.
- The sound of a child’s laughter drifting from another room.
- A simple prayer answered in a small, unexpected way.
- A moment of stillness where you sense His presence and think, He’s here.
The Small Moments Are the Holy Moments
When we learn to see God’s hand in the little things, the ordinary becomes sacred.
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Maybe joy isn’t found in doing more, but in noticing more—seeing the beauty that’s already woven into our everyday lives.
Lord, help us slow down enough to see You in the small moments. Remind us that joy is not something we must chase but something You freely give when we rest in You. May our hearts find delight in the quiet, the ordinary, and the overlooked. Amen.
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