Hope is in the small things when big things are hard.

We have all heard the saying that often its the small things that add up to the big things or are the true big things in the end.

For those walking close to me, know we have had a tough few years but the last few months in particular have just been really hard.

We lost our little mate, our dog Baxter, he was only 9 and his death was sudden and left us in shock and grief, in the same week we moved house, and I got told I was facing redundancy after months of being on tender hooks at work. Lots of other things were happening, and had happened over the previous months that felt like a 'series of unfortunate' events, I won't carry the list on but when I was sharing with a friend who I had asked to pray with me, she said 'That is a lot to deal with for anyone'.

I felt like I was in a boxing ring I couldn't get out of and was taking hits from all sides.

It is at times like this where we can ask ourselves 'So where is God?' or we can't see him changing circumstances that we have been praying about for ages, he feels far away, or silent, we can default into worry, anxiety and even situational depression, losing hope and faith.

I am so grateful I have intentionally built a faith community of friends, family and church around me, I have given into this community and to these friendships over time, in the good times feeding my faith in God and building up trusting and loving relationships with others who have a strong faith.

When it is my turn to struggle and bumble along in life, they are there. I can pick up the phone, send a message and I have others praying with me, or for me or both.

Because we are connected in spiritually they often just send me random words, articles, song links, or even have wisdom to see things I may have missed.

The timing is almost always perfect and in those moments, I know with all my heart that God letting me know he sees me, hears me and is with me and that I am not alone.

The other day a friend shared a song called small things, it was beautiful and she played it for me and said she felt it was for me right now.

Small things by Bella Taylor Smith

Other small things that I notice or do when big things seem hard:

• Another good friend sends me prophetic words that are just bang on.

• I prioritise my health, mentally and physically, spending time with God by walking in nature and singing worship music.

• Getting to church, around others who care for each other and God, even when I don't feel like it. I always pick up a small word of encouragement, some joy in my tank from being in the environment.

• People tell me that I have been on their mind and they are praying for me/us

• Prayers get answered in other ways, sometimes the unexpected ways

• Eat to nourish my body, being mindful of not feeding my feelings with junk

• Getting to my exercise classes and moving my body even when I don't feel like it.

• Noticing the small wins, speaking them out, sharing them, being grateful for all the 'small things' even when the bigger things seem un resolved.

The thing about the small things, is that we have to look to notice them, and when we look we can often see more.

The bible also says we only need a small amount of faith, size of a mustard seed.

"For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20-21).

My favourite saying is " We get what we focus on, what we feed grows"

Being grateful for the small things each day, add up to bigger things, also sometime we realise that the things we consider the small things are actually the BIG things that are irreplaceable and more important in the end.

Sharing another beautiful song I came across this week - if you are feeling low, beaten down and struggling to believe that God has got your back, turn up the volume and have a listen.

I speak the name of Jesus over you - Katy Nichole

I pray you find encouragement in what I have shared today and start to notice more of the small things.

If you are feeling alone and haven't been to church ever or in a while, I invite you to come along or find one near you, a church or faith community where people do real life together.

My experiences of 'churches' have not always been like this and it took me a while to find somewhere where I felt I belonged as I am, somewhere where no body is perfect or trying to look perfect, where others are just trying to seek hope, purpose, joy, support and friendship.

Life is a journey of ups and downs, we don't have to do it alone.

Arohanui

Jen