There are moments in life we dream about for years—sometimes decades. We picture them in our minds, envision them, anticipate them: an engagement, the wedding, the graduation, the big career milestone.

And then...poof. Suddenly, they’re in the past.

We spend far more time anticipating them than actually living them. And if we're honest, there can be this lingering feeling of, Now what?

I've been sitting with this lately because, well, in many ways, I'm living it.

Don’t get me wrong—I know I have many more celebrations ahead, more incredible moments to come! But a lot of the big, life-shaping experiences we spend years envisioning? They’ve happened. And it's not lost on me how fortunate I am to sit here and reflect on these moments. But it’s a strange shift in perspective when they're done. 

The Emotional Dip

For example, after my wedding, I experienced an emotional low that even took me by surprise.

I know I'm not the only bride to go through a case of wedding blues. For us, we waited three years from engagement to walking down the aisle. We had our baby boy in between, and our families met for the first time at our wedding in Ireland (thanks, COVID). So this didn’t just feel like a wedding—it was a long-anticipated reunion, a celebration I had envisioned for years. Every time we were in Ireland, we were exploring wedding ideas or visiting our venue.

And then, in a blink, it was over. I was so grateful, but I couldn’t shake the question: The wedding I dreamed of for years (in some ways, my whole life!) is now… done? Just like that?

Of course, life has only gotten richer since that day—praise God! But that experience made me reflect on how much we define our lives by those "big" moments when, in reality, they make up such a small fraction of our lives.

The Beauty in the In-Between

Most of life is spent in the in-between—in the spaces between milestones. The daily rhythms of work, parenting, responsibilities… the never-ending pile of laundry that multiplies overnight.

And you know something?

Our ordinary is extraordinary.

I love celebrating life’s big moments. They bring people together in meaningful ways and create special memories. I won’t pretend I didn’t have a castle wedding! But that’s not what makes a good life. And for what it’s worth, an intimate backyard wedding is just as beautiful... These occasions are special not because of what they are, but because of who we’re celebrating with and why they matter.

And you know what else is pretty amazing, too?

• My quiet time at 5:30 AM, journal open. Me and Jesus. 
• That first sip of coffee in the morning, sunlight streaming in.
• Seeing my son's face light up when he fits a puzzle piece in place.
• When I actually bake something right.
• A deep clean!! (Okay, I’m not the tidiest person, but nothing beats the satisfaction of a sparkling kitchen or bathroom from my own hands.)
• Lighting a candle at the end of the day, just to sit...
• Fresh sheets.
• Fresh croissants on a Saturday morning.
• Sean playing guitar while our son dances.

I could list 100 more. Simple things. Because life isn’t just about the mountaintop moments—it’s about the small, seemingly ordinary, day-to-day rhythms that make up our lives.

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary

If you ever feel discouraged that your life does not look 'big' or 'exciting'
enough, then just have a look at some of the most prominent people in the bible, and their ordinary lives. We see that Extraordinary things are birthed in the ordinary. 

• Moses—Before freeing the Israelites, much of his life was spent tending sheep, waiting, and dealing with people’s complaints.
• Jesus was a humble carpenter before beginning His ministry at 30.
• Mary—She knew she was carrying the Son of God, yet she carried on like any mother: feeding, changing, watching her child play. On the outside, nothing looked extraordinary. Jesus was born in a stable. But we know her ordinary was extraordinary.

And the same is true for your life.

It doesn’t matter if you’re answering phones at an office, changing diapers, or running a company. We are all vessels for God’s extraordinary work. And any ordinary thing done with the spirit of God becomes extraordinary because you're in His plan.

The Gift of Slowing Down

This message is countercultural. The world often sends the message that a rewarding life is measured by achievements, titles, earnings, followers, fancy vacations... And while I believe in working hard and celebrating our wins, I also know that a good life is not found in the highlight reel.

It’s found in how we love. How we serve. How we show up in the small moments—because that is most of life.

If we live only for the next milestone or mountaintop moment, we will miss the richness of today. We’ll find ourselves constantly striving, gaining but never truly satisfied. It's like earning wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it (Haggai 1:5-6, NIV).

Are You Listening?

This lesson has especially resonated with me in motherhood. Nothing forces you to slow down quite like having a baby. We usually live in a fast-paced world—but babies don’t operate that way.

I had to slooooow down.

And in the stillness of motherhood, in the most uneventful, ordinary, and sometimes frankly boring days, I experienced my most profound transformation and spiritual growth.

For example, I remember one evening, watching my son play in the bath. Life had settled into a rhythm—stroller walks, park visits, breastfeeding, naps. The wedding had passed. Life felt… ordinary.

And then, as I sat there watching him splash around, I had this thought:
He is so completely dependent on me.

If something were to happen to me, he wouldn’t know what to do. He couldn't properly get out of the bath, put on a diaper, or warm himself. It would be a disaster.

And then, I felt God press something on my heart:

Depend on Me the way he depends on you.

At the time, my mind was swirling with questions and unknowns—When will I go back to work? What will we do for childcare? Will we live in a house of our own? Where will we move?

And God gently reminded me: Abide in Me. Rest in Me. Keep your eyes on Me. Everything will work out...“Be still, and know that I am God" —Psalm 46:10

It was in that quiet, ordinary moment that I received that message. It wasn't an audible voice—just a warm feeling that aligned with what I had been learning about God and His nature. But it shifted something in me. I realized that I was holding back in a deeper trust and dependency on God—the dependency that comes with childlike faith. 

Distractions, distractions, and some more...

A priest I’ve had the privilege of learning from said something that stuck with me:

"Hearing God is like a radio station. It’s always on, but you have to adjust your posture to tune in."

The problem is that many people are consumed by distractions. And trust me, I get it. Staying present is hard. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened my phone to do something simple—like answering one text or checking the weather—and then 45 minutes later, I’m on a tangent, researching a product I definitely don’t need, or ruminating over something I said or did seven years ago...The talent of technology today is no joke!

And distractions aren’t just fluffy and superficial; we have genuine worries like paying bills, our health, and the well-being of loved ones... Staying present takes effort.

But these ordinary moments—whether it's doing the dishes, watching our children play, or sitting in traffic—can be an opportunity to slow down and create the space to receive a divine message we need.

And if you think slowing down is hindering your productivity, Pastor Stephanie Ike said something that always stays with me:

"What advantage is speed when you are going in the wrong direction?"

Many of us are running high on ambition, checking off achievements, filling our calendars but neglecting the most important piece: God, Is this what you want for me? Am I going in the right direction? 

In the end, God is the only one who knew you before you arrived here and who knows the plans He has for you. He knows you better than you know yourself, even down to the number of hairs on your head. And He loves you better than you love yourself.

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Luke 12:7, NIV)

Don't you think His guidance is worth seeking and listening for?

Final Thoughts

So today, I want to encourage you: slow down. Embrace the ordinary, the quiet, the simplicity of life.

Your life is not defined by a fancy title, a full schedule, exclusive events, and bigger vacations. That's not what’s going to matter when we meet our Maker.

What matters is how we show up in the small, everyday ways—how we love, how we serve, and what we leave in people. And that is where extraordinary things are birthed. 

So, I want to leave you with this:

What are the simple things you are thankful for today?

Thank you for being here. I hope this blessed and encouraged you. 

God bless!

Xo

Natalie Grace