Little Victories

In the last few months I've had the opportunity to nanny for a family with four children. Every day is a new adventure, but I'd like to share one story in particular. The youngest little girl is two and when I first started watching her, she was not fond of me. Tears would ensue as soon as mom walked out the door. She wouldn't even let me touch her so an older sibling ended up having to sooth her every time. Well after about a month, I walked into the kitchen and no one was in sight then all of a sudden I hear little footsteps. I turn around and across the room, there she is freshly awaken from a morning nap. I open my arms and say "Hi, come here sweet girl" and that's when it happened. Her face lit up and she ran into my open arms with the purest of laughs. I had won her over. She finally accepted me.

It's these little victories that mean the most to me and I think it's because they remind me of Jesus. I imagine my joy in those moments, and then I realize how that won't even compare to the joy that God has when He looks at His children. He brings us little victories all the time, but all to often we are caught up in our busy lives and we don't even notice. Ever since my acceptance into the world of the little girl mentioned above, I've thought more about the little victories from God. Included in that list is life-long friends that I've made in the last two years, two completely funded trips to Guatemala with a third on the way,  and of course the ability to know the wonderful family that I nanny for. While that might not seem like a much, they are the day to day thoughts that instantly bring a smile to my face and a prayer to my Maker. He has made all these things possible and all I can do is thank Him with the gifts and talents He has given me. Therefore I will rejoice in the little victories!