Missing the small things

People in general have this problem of not seeing or noticing the small things. They get too comfortable in their surroundings and take it for granted that things stay are the same. The “big picture” gets in the way of slowing down and paying attention to the finer details. The fear of not getting everything done clouds the way we look at the goals ahead of us. Most people think that multitasking is a way of getting more done but studies have shown that though things may seem to be getting done the smaller details are not truly taken care of and small things tend to add up to bigger things. Now this is all in a work setting, have you noticed that in everyday life this happens as well? Dad’s get home from work and completely miss that the house is clean, mom’s forget to wash their daughter’s favorite blanket, a small act of kindness from a stranger gets lost in the moment of just getting through the day.

A friend of mine texted me the other day asking me if I had heard her news. I had but it was not very good news and knew that she needed to hear words of encouragement and strength rather than the ever present “I’m sorry, let me know how I can help” statement. I knew that at that moment I needed to stop and be present and give her the words that she was needing. Her reply back confirmed that that was exactly what she needed and had I just done the normal hasty response my friend wouldn’t have gotten what she needed from the conversation.

My husband has been so busy lately with school work and getting projects done around the house. He stays home with the kids so that I can go to work. Lately for me, every day has been a busy day but Fridays tend to be the busiest with appointments scheduled all day. Since I don’t usually make it home in time to prepare dinner it falls into my husbands lap to take care of. This last Friday was another busy day and with everything my husband has been doing he took the time to notice we as a family hadn’t done something together in a while (other than the “forced” hikes we do on Sundays) , so instead of a dinner at home he arranged for us to have dinner at a restaurant with Baskin Robins ice cream afterwards. He made my day with this gesture, my weeks have been hard and he took the time to notice we needed family time and made it happen. A small gesture made a big difference.

My son then hit me with the biggest of small things . On our way home from dinner there was a man holding up a sign on the side of the road. He had the look of someone who lives on the street, with a dog sleeping next to his belongings. I had seen the man but didn’t really see him or read his sign, but my kids had. The next day my son had asked if he could do a lemonade stand to help earn money for camping. We got it all set up, posted our signs and let friends know on Facebook to come on by. Tyler had almost everything set up but then asked for a mason jar and a piece of paper. When I asked what it was for his said it was a surprise. Tyler worked hard and was able to make money for himself but when I saw what the mason jar was for my heart swelled with love for this kiddo of mine. He had also raised some money for the man on the side of the road. He said the man’s sign had said he needed help getting money for his dog’s cancer surgery. We found the man and Tyler gave him the money. He wanted to help the man and his dog, he noticed the need and tried to help take care of it. A small gesture to help make a big difference.

In a world that seems to have gone crazy with trying to fix all the wrongs that seem to have happened, it begs to be noticed that if we would all just slow down and fix our eyes on what’s in front of us instead of the whole big mess we would find that there are so many small gestures, decisions, statements that could be what ends up making the change. If we can’t even fix our hearts which then will help us fix our homes how do we expect to fix the problems of the world. When Christ walked the earth, he had multitudes of people following and listening to him. The world was in chaos and turmoil with the Jewish people being scattered all over, the Samaritans were hated and the religious leaders and governments were ruling so strictly that people were being killed for not doing as they were told. People were being overtaxed, not earning what they should be earning and only the men had actual rights. People wanted a leader who would make a change, strong, courageous and willing to fight. Christ did not fit the image that the people had for a leader but he ended up being the one and only thing they needed for change. He noticed the “little people” he taught with love, stood up for what was right and healed people with his words and actions. He dealt with the small things to make a huge difference in the lives of everyone. We should copy Him, emulate Him, follow His leadership, there will be change if we do.

Slowing down and really seeing people, seeing the situations happening around you, what would that look like? What if you did random acts of kindness? What if you decided to not judge someone but believe they have good in them? What if you went out of your way to help someone in need? What if you focused on the picture in front of you instead of what is going on in the world? Would you be less stressed? Would you be able to focus on the small details of projects or situations? Would you be a better person, and want others around you to be better themselves? Think about it, and then make the change, even if it means one small step each day. Until next time:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33