Lately I have been repeatedly reminded of how the little things in life can make a BIG difference. To be honest it has been rather entertaining, but it has been rather convicting too.
The first instance happened during VBS last week and came from a first grader. When asked if she was having fun she quickly replied with "Yes, it's better then that Methodist church. It's longer and funner and the bathrooms are cleaner!" Who knew that how clean the bathroom was during VBS would have such a HUGE impact on a first grader! Certainly not me!
The second instance started during VBS and continued this week during camp prep. A sixth grade boy asked if he could be on the purple team at camp. He had been to camp since he was in first grade and NEVER has been on the purple team. (Milan's colors are purple and white and well, let's just say this town bleeds purple!) Such a small thing as what color team he is going to be on is a BIG deal to him. I can't wait to see his reaction when he gets to camp and realizes that he is on the purple team!!!
The third instance happens quite often, but I just realized it this week. One of "Small Childs" favorite things in the world is to play with my phone. To take pictures, video, play games, or just listen to my ringtones. Typically it is rather annoying, but as I was sitting on the couch this past week with her and her brother they cracked me up. For 20 minutes they took turns taking short video clips of each other laughing, singing, and acting crazy and they LOVED it! Overall it really wasn't a big deal, but it was BIG to them. They were still talking about it the next day...
I could go on and on, but I will spare you. As I sit and reflect it's the little things in my life that mean the most. From a simple text from a friend just saying "hope you have a great day" and that they are praying for me to a family inviting me into their home for dinner since I'm away from mine to a simply thank you for all the work I put into my job to a reassuring smile and a "everything's going to workout."
I just started reading a book and have already been taken back by a comment in it. We are commanded in scripture to "love your neighbor as yourselves." I don't know about you, but I love myself a whole lot. Often when I meditate on this scripture I think that I have to start loving myself less and others more, but this book has made me think differently. Instead of decreasing the love of ourselves so we don't have that high of a "love bar", if you will, to reach with others, why don't we just start loving others as much as we love ourselves?!? If I loved everyone I know as much as I love myself, WOW...That would be a lot of lovin' going on!
This doesn't mean that you have to go out and do BIG crazy things for everyone you know. Simply love them and treat them as yourself. For me it's the little things that make a BIG difference, so I've decided to start making a conscience effort to do little things for people.
Little notes or texts, simple prayers, some thank you's, and maybe even a free lunch here or there just because.
So my challenge to you simply is to love your neighbors as yourself. Figure out what you love and how you want to be treated and then go and treat the world that way...
It's the little things that make a BIG difference... Go make a BIG difference...
