Ordinary Moments, Extraordinary Grace: Seeing God in Everyday Life

Editor’s note – JM Troppello writes here about something most of us walk past every day: the quiet, repeated moments where God is working and we simply don’t notice. A walk by a creek, a sibling’s text after watching a video, an evening spent back in Scripture – none of it looks remarkable at the time. That’s exactly the point. BCW is running this piece because gratitude trained on the ordinary is often sturdier than gratitude that waits for the extraordinary. Read it slowly, and let it prompt your own memory of an unremarkable morning that turned out to matter.

Recognizing God in the Ordinary

I’ve been thinking today about how easy it is to overlook the ordinary moments in our lives.

Sometimes we’re so focused on the big things we want God to do that we forget to recognize His goodness in the little things happening around us every day. We look for the extraordinary moments, the answered prayers, the breakthroughs, and the situations where we can clearly see God moving. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with being thankful for those things. I love sharing testimonies about how God has answered prayers and worked in my life and the lives of my family members.

But what about the ordinary moments?

Have you ever stopped to consider that God is present in those moments too? Think about something as simple as waking up this morning. You opened your eyes, took another breath, and were given the opportunity to experience another day.

We might consider that an ordinary part of life because it happens every morning. But when you really stop and think about it, isn’t that extraordinary? God has given us the breath of life. Each new day is another chance to experience His grace, spend time with the people we love, and keep walking in the purpose He has for us.

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us:

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. [Lamentations 3:22-23]

I love that reminder because it helps me appreciate something we can so easily take for granted. Simply waking up to another day is a reason to thank God.

Finding Something Extraordinary in an Ordinary Walk

Yesterday, I posted another long-form video on my YouTube channel. It was an eight-minute video featuring footage of a creek, flowing water, and the surrounding woods, with Bible verses displayed throughout.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to a park together and spent time walking around the creek and recording videos of the beautiful scenery. We both enjoy being outdoors, and I love being able to use those experiences to create encouraging content for my YouTube channel.

At the time, it was simply a nice day spent together enjoying God’s creation. But after I posted the video, something happened that made me appreciate that experience even more.

My sister watched it and told me how peaceful it was. She especially loved the Bible verses I included and how relaxing the entire video felt. That meant a lot to me because it was exactly what I wanted people to experience when they watched it.

I wanted people to take a few minutes away from the busyness of life, enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature, and be reminded of God’s Word. It made me think about how an ordinary afternoon walking with my husband could become something meaningful for someone else. We were simply enjoying nature and recording videos, but now that footage can offer another person eight minutes of peace, quiet, and encouragement.

I think that’s pretty amazing.

Last night, I actually watched the video myself while I was getting ready for bed. Usually, I’ll put on something from Radiant TV or Daystar for about 10 or 15 minutes before bedtime. I especially enjoy the programs that feature peaceful nature scenes, soft music, and Bible verses. It’s a nice way to unwind before I finish my evening routine and spend time reading my Bible.

But last night, I decided to put on my own video instead.

As I brushed my teeth and got ready for bed, I listened to the creek flowing over the rocks. I was struck by how peaceful it was and how thankful I felt that my husband and I had the opportunity to experience that beautiful place together. It was such a simple moment.

But it reminded me of God’s goodness, the beauty of His creation, and the blessing of sharing something peaceful with others. What started as an ordinary walk had become an extraordinary reminder of how God can use even the simplest experiences in our lives.

Editor’s note – There’s something worth noticing in how a single afternoon outdoors became encouragement for someone else entirely. JM Troppello didn’t set out to make ministry content that day; she simply walked with her husband and later discovered God had already put the moment to use. Obedience in small things rarely announces itself in advance.

The People in Our Lives Are Extraordinary Blessings

I’ve also been thinking about how this applies to our relationships. Think about the ordinary interactions you have with your family and friends throughout the day. Maybe you had breakfast with your husband or wife this morning. Perhaps you helped your children get ready for school, talked with a family member on the phone, or exchanged a few messages with a friend.

Those moments can seem so ordinary because they’re part of our everyday routines. But when we stop and think about them, they’re actually incredible blessings.

God has placed people in our lives who love us, encourage us, challenge us, and help us grow. And even though relationships aren’t always perfect, there’s so much to be thankful for when we consider the people He’s brought into our lives.

I’ve been especially reminded of that lately as my husband and I have been spending more time helping our families. Sometimes it’s easy to focus on how busy we are or how much we need to accomplish. But I don’t want to become so distracted by my responsibilities that I overlook the blessing of simply being together.

An ordinary conversation can become a treasured memory. A simple act of kindness can encourage someone who’s having a difficult day. Spending time helping a family member can remind us how thankful we are to have them in our lives.

We don’t always recognize the significance of those moments as they happen. Sometimes we only realize how special they were when we look back. I want to become more intentional about appreciating those everyday opportunities to love and encourage the people God has placed in my life.

Editor’s note – It’s easy to measure a day by its accomplishments and miss the people standing right in front of us. Scripture consistently ties love for God to love of neighbor, and neighbor usually looks like the person at your own breakfast table. The reminder here is less about doing more and more about paying attention to what’s already there.

The Extraordinary Gift of God’s Word

I’ve been thinking about one more ordinary moment, and that’s the time I spend reading my Bible.

I read Scripture every day, usually in the morning and again before bed. It’s become such an important part of my routine that I sometimes have to remind myself just how extraordinary that opportunity really is. Think about it. We have the privilege of opening God’s Word and reading what He has revealed to us.

The same God who spoke the world into existence has given us His Word so that we can know Him, understand His truth, and grow in our relationship with Him. That’s an amazing thought.

Psalm 119:105 says:

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. [Psalm 119:105]

I love that verse because it reminds me that God’s Word isn’t simply something we read to gain knowledge. It’s meant to guide us as we walk through life.

When we’re facing difficult decisions, we can turn to Scripture for wisdom. When we’re discouraged, we can remember God’s promises and faithfulness. When we’re overwhelmed by everything happening around us, we can spend time in His Word and redirect our thoughts to Him.

I think about how God’s Word has been preserved and passed down through generations so that we can still read it today.

What an incredible gift.

Sometimes I sit down with my Bible and read a passage I’ve read many times before, but something about it speaks to me in a fresh way because of what I’m experiencing in that particular season. And I find myself thinking about how thankful I am that God has given us His Word.

What might seem like an ordinary part of my daily routine is actually an extraordinary opportunity to spend time learning about the Lord.

I don’t ever want to take that for granted.

Editor’s note – Psalm 119:105 has comforted believers for centuries precisely because it doesn’t promise a floodlight – just enough light for the next step. If daily Bible reading has started to feel routine, that’s worth examining honestly rather than dismissing; familiarity and faithfulness aren’t the same thing, but they aren’t enemies either.

Learning to Notice What God Has Already Given Us

It’s natural to get excited about the big things happening in our lives.

We celebrate answered prayers, accomplishments, milestones, and unexpected blessings. And we should absolutely thank God for those things. But I don’t want to spend so much time looking for the next big blessing that I overlook the ones He’s already given me.

I want to recognize His goodness when I wake up. I want to appreciate the time I spend with my husband, family, and friends. I want to enjoy the beauty of His creation, whether I’m walking beside a creek, looking at the trees, or simply stepping outside for a few minutes. And I want to remember what a privilege it is to open my Bible and spend time with the Lord.

Not every day will bring exciting news or extraordinary events. Some days will be busy, some will be difficult, and others might feel like nothing particularly special happened.

But even on those days, we can still recognize God’s goodness.

That doesn’t mean we have to pretend everything is wonderful when we’re going through something difficult. We can acknowledge our struggles while still being thankful for the blessings that remain. I’ve been learning that gratitude isn’t only about celebrating the big moments. It’s also about recognizing the everyday gifts we might otherwise overlook.

Sometimes, when we slow down long enough to notice them, those ordinary moments become extraordinary reminders of how good God is. I’m thankful for the beautiful creek my husband and I visited, the chance to share that peaceful experience with others, and the simple reminder I received while watching my own video last night.

Most of all, I’m thankful for a God who is faithful in both the big moments and the ordinary ones. Is it easy for you to recognize the extraordinary blessings in the ordinary moments of life? What’s one simple moment recently that reminded you of God’s goodness?

A Word from the Editor
Gratitude that only shows up for the dramatic answer to prayer is thin gratitude. Lamentations 3:22-23 ties God’s mercy to the ordinary rising of the sun, not to a miracle – His compassions are new every morning simply because morning keeps coming. If you want to grow in thankfulness, start smaller than you think you need to: a conversation, a walk, a chapter of Scripture read for the hundredth time. That’s usually where God has been waiting all along.

Editor Comment: JM Troppello offers a gentle reminder that gratitude grows best in attention to the ordinary, and that's a message believers need in every season of life.

This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.