LTM*

*Little Things Matter.

Last week I was given a project that included mailing 80 one-pound books to individual addresses so they would arrive within a 2-day timeframe. Among several pieces that were integral to the success of this task, was the transporting of several boxes of books. I prepared myself to do a lot of heavy lifting.

You can imagine my surprise when my overworked, over-scheduled boss offered to drop the books off at my home office, saving me a drive to his office and several trips carrying boxes to and from my car. And later when I pulled in front of the post office and opened my hatchback, a man dressed in construction coveralls walked up to me and said, “I’ll be happy to carry those in for you, Ma’am, if you’ll just give me some direction.” I was dumbfounded. After he had toted in the boxes, and I had unloaded them, I gathered up the empty containers and started toward the door, when a woman turned around and said, “Here, let me get the door for you…” Whoa! Wait a minute… Was I suddenly being recorded for an upcoming “What Would You Do?” installment? Did I have “Help Me, Please” embroidered on my jacket that morning? I was baffled by the waves of grace that seemed to pour over me. There were no TV cameras, and I wasn’t carrying a sign. None of these people expected a reward, and none seemed to do it for public adulation.Today it’s probable these people may not even remember how they blessed me last Friday. But, by my writing this, it’s clear that I remember – and will for a long, long time. Little Things Matter.

Bridge

Just as these types of kindnesses impact us, so do the seemingly insignificant little things that have been said or done out of negligence, meanness, oversight, superiority, etc. As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

What you say, what you do, how you respond, how you react… Most have one thing in common – most are borne from a little thing, whether positive or negative. And like the enormity of the oak tree that is spawned by tiny acorn seeds, the effects of your words and actions grow and spread likes its branches.

Blesson

I’ve been around long enough to know that I can’t expect that the types of kindnesses I was shown last week will be forthcoming in every situation. However, I think I should be more aware of the opportunities Jesus presents me where I can be His hands and feet here on earth. After all, He is not interested in what one says or does to get public attention or accolades. He is more interested in the small things we say and do out of the public eye… That helpful hand you give to a stranger when the awkward load they’ve been carrying shifts and items drop to the floor. When you stop to offer a tissue or cleansing wipe to a mother whose child just slipped and fell in the mud. Or, you decide to change your Friday evening plans so you can help a coworker who’s struggling to complete a project on time. Even if your right actions and words are not seen or appreciated by others, God sees them and at the perfect time and place, His grace will reward them in greater ways.

Substance

^34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’

^37-40 “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25: 34-40, The Message)

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