Happiness Despite the Size

 When I was about eight or nine years old, something happened that taught me a lasting lesson about happiness. That Christmas season, my father sewed beautiful clothes for my step-sisters — new dresses, matching shoes, neat hairstyles and everything to make them shine. But for me, there was nothing new. No clo

th, no shoes, no little Christmas treat. And yet, strangely, it did not weigh on my heart.

On Christmas day, my step-sisters stepped out proudly in their brand-new outfits, the cloth fresh and smelling of the tailor’s iron. I, on the other hand, wore my old clothes and an oversized shoe that an uncle had given me months before. The shirt had stains on it and was bigger than my size. The trouser had flares like a girl’s style. Still, I wore it boldly, without shame or comparison, without checking what others had, and without thinking I was less. I was simply happy because it was Christmas.

In those days in the village, Christmas meant walking from house to house, greeting families, and receiving little gifts. After dressing up, we went to my father to collect “Happy Christmas” — our childhood code for asking money. He gave each of us ₦100. Unknown to me, from that moment till evening, his eyes never left me. I did not know that every laughter, every step, every expression I had that day was under silent observation.

Later in the evening when we returned, my father called me quietly. His voice had changed; it was not the usual stern tone. “Peter,” he said, “who are you?” I did not understand the question, so I remained silent. Then he continued: “I watched you all day. Your clothes were not new like your sisters’ but your joy was brighter than theirs. You were not ashamed, not bitter, not jealous. You did not hide yourself, you did not grumble, you did not compare yourself. You were simply happy. That happiness made me ashamed of myself. I expected you to be troubled, instead you were free.”

Those words shook me. He apologized for not sewing mine and promised that the following year he would. And truly, from that day till now, he has never shown any difference between me and my step-sisters again. Whatever he bought for them, he bought for me also. That experience taught my father something, but it also taught me something deeper: genuine happiness is not found in what you wear, what you own, or what you lack — it springs from the heart.

Many times, God tests us in the same way. He gives another person something bright, flashy, beautiful, and gives you something small, ordinary, or unseen. Not because He hates you, but because He wants to see your attitude. Will you murmur? Will you complain? Will you compare yourself? Or will you be sincerely happy even in the little you have?

Heaven responds to attitude more than requests. If you can rejoice in the little, God will bless you with the greater. If you can smile despite what is missing, God will supply what is beyond expectation. Just like an earthly father is moved to do more when a child is grateful for the small, your heavenly Father is moved to lift higher the heart that appreciates the little.

Imagine giving someone a small gift — something simple, nothing special — and instead of complaining, the person is genuinely joyful, grateful, and thankful. Would you not feel drawn to do more for that person? Exactly. That is how God responds to contentment. A grateful heart is a magnet for blessings.

Happiness is not when everything is perfect. It is when you choose joy in the middle of imperfection. It is when you look at what you have — no matter how small — and you treasure it instead of despising it. Your attitude in the little determines the kind of abundance God can trust you with afterward.

Be appreciative of the few, so you can be entrusted with the plenty. When the heart is right, blessings will not delay.

Written by Nasarah Peter Dashe
@Peternasarah / Peternasarah1 on all social media
© Bilongspan, 2025
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