by Freida Harrison
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things — a chance word, a tap on the shoulder, or a penny dropped on a newsstand — I am tempted to think…there are no little things.”
~~ Bruce Barton
At the age of ten, my daddy dashed from his small schoolroom and ran full speed across the large country field toward his house. He had looked out the open window at school, saw smoke in the distance and knew instantly that his house was on fire. My daddy barely got there in time to help his mother, my grandmother, who was small in stature but very strong physically, and had been laboring to move their belongings from the blazing house. There were a couple of neighbors in that sparsely populated area who came to help also, but the fire was a hot, roaring beast, and only a few of their meager household possessions were able to be saved. My grandmother sank to the ground realizing that she didn’t even have a wash rag to clean her face of the perspiration, dirt, and grime caused from the burning ashes that had once been home. A simple wash rag. A little thing. A small object that was needed and important to her at that moment.
I’ve been told that “it’s the little things in life that count”. When given at the right time, a little thing can make a huge difference. Little things can be objects, but they also come in the form of hugs, pats on the back, phone calls, texts, emails, scriptures — spoken or unspoken expressions of love and encouragement.
Recently I gave a small, magnetic bookmark with a cross on the front to a very dear friend of mine who is going through a rough time. She sent an email telling me how much she loves it. Although it is a handy little gadget for her as she is an avid reader, it is only a tiny token. But it is from the heart of someone who cares.
When the explosion occurred in West, Texas a few weeks ago, cases of drinking water were taken to the town residents. Normally for people in this country, water is a little thing, but it is the gift of life for those who don’t have it.
After the devastating tornado struck the town of Moore, Oklahoma, I heard a meteorologist explaining that one degree in the temperature can make the difference between having a tornado or not having one. One degree is so small, yet it contributed in creating a spiraling giant that forever changed the lives of many people within a few moments of time.
When our friends and “neighbors” have struggles, we can choose to be like Jesus and show kindness with support, compassion, and assistance. Whether it’s a small deed done for someone or an object that is handy or needed at the moment, the little things make a significant difference. While helping others, these small acts of love and encouragement grow our hearts and help us become less self-focused and more other-focused — which is a big thing.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the little things in life. Smiles, handshakes, hugs, bookmarks, casseroles, cards, phone calls, texts, emails, a needed scripture, wash rags. The list goes on and on. We thank you for these gifts Father because we understand that these little things change our hearts and make us realize that in reality, they are big things disguised in small packages. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles, and kindnesses, and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort.”
~~Humphrey Davy
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Copyright © 2013, Freida Harrison, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
