Little Things Matter
My morning today started, once again, at 6:00 AM at our men’s bible study (Shameless plug: Friday 6:00AM @ Cracker Barrel @ Barker Cypress & I-10) and it was once again extraordinary. We talked about the middle east, Iraq, forgiveness, greed, hate, the revolutionary nature of our founding fathers, truth, marriage, and how and what we, as men of faith, can do to leave this planet better off for our children and what stops us from doing what we know needs to be done. Pretty much what most men talk about when they get together. To paraphrase Oswald Chambers - to reach the level of absolute and irrevocable surrender to God is a choice, an act of will - not logic or debate. An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what usually keeps each of us from making the choice, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering. When we think seriously about what it cost others if we obey the (His) call, we tell God - He doesn’t know what our obedience to Him will mean or cost us. Silly human beings - Of course He knows. God creates us for a purpose. He asks us to shine for Him and instead we choose to bargain and debate. I got a wonderful note the other day from a woman (thanks AP!) who just got Christmas and like that “Merry Christmas” means something very different to her. Out of that she now wonders how such pain and suffering can exist in this world, how one person can make a difference and why more is not done by more. There is a story about a community that plans a huge celebration and everyone is asked only to bring one bottle of red wine. Just a little thing and how could it possibly matter. All of the wine will be poured into a huge vat for everyone in the community to share. Once everyone has arrived and the wine has been mixed, everyone is invited to share in the celebration but when they raised their glasses they find that all glasses are filled with only water. Everyone in the community had the same idea - what will it hurt if I don’t bring a bottle wine? I’m only one person, and besides all of my neighbors will be bringing wine. What can one person do on this planet? Besides I’m sure someone will do something….. So…. one person may not be able to shift the planet and good people may not generate headlines, but you and I have no idea what impact an act of kindness or compassion may have. I am always struck by those that have risen from the ashes of poverty, physical violence or unthinkable circumstances to do great and loving things. When asked how they turned their life around, almost without fail it begins with the same four words: “There was this one….” - and it could be teacher, or friend or uncle or neighbor or parent or whoever. God lives in relationships. God is found between people. The little things always matter!