There’s a story of a young man who sold all his possessions and left Boston in 1849 to join the California gold rush. He worked hard, but all he ever found were rocks. One day an old prospector came by and commented on the large pile of rocks the young man had collected.
The man complained that he hadn’t found any gold. To this the old prospector took two of the rocks and smashed them together. He showed the young man the flecks of gold inside.
“But I want the big nuggets like the ones in that pouch of yours,” the young man said.
The prospector handed over his pouch. When the young man looked inside, he found it was full of gold flecks. The old prospector had made a fortune out of the small, seemingly insignificant flakes of gold.
Too often in my efforts to parent and publish and serve and grow, I discount the little flecks of gold because I’m looking for the big nuggets. I forget that the patient accumulation of hundreds of gold flecks – a moment of laughter with my kids, getting a full manuscript request, bringing a smile to some one’s face, adjusting a negative attitude – amounts to quite a fortune indeed.
What are the gold flecks in your life this week? Why do we disregard our small efforts/accomplishments for something bigger? What “fortunes” have you discovered in your life from seemingly small efforts?
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I LOVE this post! What a beautiful devotion, Stacy!!
I've had a couple of weeks off from hard writing and I've enjoyed little flecks of "I SPY" and watching my kids have fun at the pool. A Skinny Cow chocolate bar, hey it's fleck I tell ya!
Just a great post. It's so getting twittered!
Jessica – I TOTALLY agree – Skinny Cow desserts are definitely flecks of gold! 🙂 Have you tried their ice cream cones? Yummy.
This is great! My little efforts with the WiP this week has actually resulted in BIG editing plans – all good things. Thanks for the reminder to be grateful.
Christine – Good luck with your edits!
Oh I loved this! You made me think because I am always looking for that big nugget too! This week I had some nice calls from friends, enjoyed Weds night church and spent a day with my husband browsing some thrift stores:)
I really love that story. It gets me thinking of the bigger picture somehow, and that's sometimes the best way to appreciate the small and simple joys in our life. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the inspirational post. Reading it was worth a flecked of gold in my busy day!
when I hear that story, I always wonder how they got the flecks out of the rocks?
Oh my gosh, I loved this! It's something I really needed to hear today. Thanks!
What an amazing post! I always forget to stop and think of the little things that make life so enjoyable. With writing too. Sometimes I get so focused on finishing my books I forget to look at the little things that make them shine. Tiny details, the perfect description.
This story was awesome. Thanks again for sharing. 🙂
I loved this post! what a great way to look at things. this really helped my perspective. Thanks, Stace
Thanks for all the fab comments. It was fun to read them while on vacation! Glad so many of you liked this litte story.
I really enjoyed this post. It is true we overlook the small things, but they add up to BIG blessings!
The Write Soil
Oh, GOOD POST! It really is the little things – the jokes with the kids, the meals we enjoy together as a family, holding hands as we walk down the street – that make the difference. Thanks for the reminder. I needed this today.