For the Little Things

I’m reading through Philippians for my devotions, and I just studied the passage in chapter two that says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing” (verse 14). Grinning to myself, I scribbled in my journal, “What would be the fun of THAT?” Because, you know…well actually, I can be a pretty accomplished whiner. I’ve got skills.

A few minutes later I was out walking and praying when I noted a delightfully cool breeze as I strolled in the shade of the pines on Mt. Scott. Of note: It’s supposed to reach 98 today. So I was grateful—most appreciative of those two insignificant little things: a breeze. Shade.

Immediately my thoughts turned to Jonah, that relatable biblical character who wanted to mete out justice as he saw fit—which meant doom for the Ninevites. They were a wicked people; God himself called them that when he initially sent Jonah on the mission to Nineveh. Bottom line: God chooses to love whomever he wants. Which includes me, the skilled whiner, thankfully.

But Jonah is rather…stubborn. His famous dash in the opposite direction from Nineveh is well known—the gulp, the prayer, the hurl. And even after God rescues Jonah, he STILL complains and whines. Until God sends such a little thing: shade. Turns out that wasn’t going to last long either (one nasty worm chomps on the shade-producing vine), but the fact remains that an angry, judgmental man managed to find happiness for a bit in such a simple, little thing as shade.

Could it be that the little things…the dismissible, barely noticed, the insignificant…those pint-sized events in our lives add up to a broader perspective on life? Could it be that making note of things like a patch of pink in the sky, returning the smile of a stranger, watching an opal-hued bubble rise from soapy dishwater, or stopping to hear a toddler chuckle—could the appreciation of any or all of those little events all join together in a way that truly informs my mood? Do the little things really…matter? I guess a mountain is actually a collection of dirt and a zillion plus rocks, isn’t it?

I determine to be present in the smallest moments of life—to look for and appreciate the little things. A flower next to the path I walk every other day. A bird’s call floating on the wind. The twinkle in Craig’s eyes. A hummingbird on my feeder. A sloppy kiss from my puppy. They add up, I’m thinking. To peace, joy, contentment. Ready to do your list?

Here’s to the little things!