Good morning.
I hope you’re having a beautiful start to your day. Before you really get going, I’d like to share something that’s been on my heart.

You’ve cleaned the house, picked the kids up from school, made the lunches, finished the laundry, and finally thought, I’m done. Your husband is about to walk through the door, or maybe you’re expecting guests. You’re ready to sit down and take a deep breath.

If you’ve ever raised children, you’ve probably experienced this.

Then you turn around…

…and those beautiful sliding glass doors you just cleaned are covered with little smudges.

I remember when things like that could feel so frustrating, especially when I was exhausted. There was always another mess to clean, another load of laundry to fold, another meal to prepare, and another thing waiting on my to-do list.

But somewhere along the way, my perspective changed.

I once read something—I can’t remember if it was a poem, a book, or simply a quote—but I’ve never forgotten it.

It said not to be upset about the fingerprints on the windows or the walls because someday, when the children are grown and gone, you would give almost anything to see those little fingerprints again.

And it’s true.

There are many people in this world today who would give anything to have those fingerprints back.

The older I get, the more I realize how true that is.

And it’s true of so many ordinary moments in our lives.

When you see food left out on the counter, stop for a moment and be thankful that your children can come home and fill their stomachs when they’re hungry. There are parents around the world who don’t know where their child’s next meal or even their next drink of water will come from.

When you’re folding another mountain of laundry, pause for just a second and say,

“Thank You, Lord.”

Thank You that I have children—or grandchildren—to wear these clothes. Thank You that I have a washing machine, or even the ability to go to a laundromat to clean them.

Those are blessings we often overlook.

When you hear your children laughing after you’ve spent an hour trying to get them to settle down for bed, your first instinct may be to say, “Be quiet and go to sleep.”

Instead…

Be intentional.

Stop.

Smile.

Listen.

Be grateful that your children are falling asleep with joy in their hearts and laughter on their lips instead of tears.

One day those fingerprints won’t be there anymore.

I’m speaking from experience because I’m a new empty nester, and I can honestly tell you this season has been much harder than I ever imagined it would be.

What I wouldn’t give to go back.

To have another mountain of laundry.

Another lunch to pack.

Another car full of kids.

I had four children. At one point I had an infant, one child on my hip, and two young boys running around. Just getting out the front door for a quick trip to the grocery store required bags, bottles, snacks, diapers, and what felt like endless preparation.

Back then I remember wondering,

“Will there ever be a day when I don’t have to do all of this?”

And then one day…

…that day comes.

The laundry baskets aren’t overflowing anymore.

The fingerprints disappear.

The house grows quiet.

And you find yourself wishing you could go back to one ordinary Tuesday when life felt busy, messy, exhausting…

…and wonderfully full.

So today, look for the blessing hidden inside what feels ordinary.

Be intentional.

You may be surprised how many blessings you find when you simply begin looking for them.

Take a deep breath.

Notice the beauty around you.

Choose gratitude.

And remember…

God is already making a way.

Have a beautiful day.

This has been A Moment That Matters. Join me every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as we practice living with more faith, gratitude, perspective, and intention—one moment at a time.