We sometimes underestimate the influence of small things. But I discovered today it’s the small things that add up and matter in a big way.
Today I have spent my day in doctor’s surgeries, and emergency rooms at the hospital, all because of a pesky SMALL rose thorn.
A few weeks ago I was being very industrious in our garden pruning the roses. However I failed to put on any gardening gloves, which today I am regretting considerably. Instead I enthusiastically pruned and weeded the garden and in the process received some cuts from the roses, with one of those thorns unbeknown to me burying it’s way into my thumb. Fast forward a few weeks – the cuts have healed over and everything was looking normal until my thumb suddenly swelled to double it’s size and turned decidedly red and sore.
The short story is that now because of where the thorn is and the risks involved in removing it I have to visit a plastic surgeon to surgically remove it. That little thorn is beginning to matter in a big way.
Moral of the story and life lesson – “Don’t neglect the little things. Don’t underestimate the small things that can affect our health, our work or our relationships.”
Small things matter and perhaps too often we underestimate the influence and power of them both for good and for bad. Just as I underestimated the wisdom and significance of taking time to wear gardening gloves and the damage a tiny thorn can do.
Likewise we can also underestimate the power of a seemingly small thing like a smile, gentle touch, a kind word, listening ear, or the simplest act of caring and the potential it has to turn a life around. Winston Churchill once said, “Our attitude may seem like a small thing but it’s a little thing that makes a big difference.”
God teaches in his word about the power of the small things and that we need to watch the negative sneaky little “foxes” that try and come in and spoil our lives, and also how we only need faith like a small mustard seed to move the mountains in our lives.
The bible says for us to, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” (Song of Solomon 2:15)
Jesus said, For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (Matthew 17:20)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10)
Today, don’t underestimate the small things in your life. Those important yet small things that you may take for granted, or choose to overlook or forget about. The everyday small things you do for others, the thanks you give, the quiet prayers you pray, the small acts of kindness, and words of encouragement. These are often small things, but small things add up, and one day we’ll probably look back and realise they were big things after all.
Prayer: Lord help me to appreciate the power of the small things and to not underestimate their significance for both the positive and the negative in my life. In Jesus name Amen.
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