Little Things

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.  But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

Luke 16:10 NLT

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV

I often find myself saying, "It's the little things." I revel in those tiny moments of joy that seem so small and insignificant yet somehow they make up a lifetime. A diet coke with crushed ice in a foam cup, seeing flowers bloom that I have somehow managed to keep alive, the smell of rain, enjoying our deck in all seasons and weather, eating a fresh mint leaf because it reminds of my Papa, cooking with my hand-me-down cast iron pans because it makes me feel like my GJ is in the kitchen with me, soaking up the sun on a summer day, those little moments and little decisions that seem to make the world go round.

Regardless, I often discount those joys and blessings because they are not grandiose on our scale of success. Those little things are usually found in the midst of our hustle and business of trying to arrive wherever it is we think we are going. I used to think ministry had to be next level all the time. The reality is faithfulness and ministry are found in the little things. One choice, one decision, one act at a time.

Two women are mentioned in the "Hall of Faith" Hebrew 11. Sarah and Rahab the prostitute. Sarah believed God for a child despite her age, and Rahab the prostitute opened her home and welcomed some spies. Both struggled, both were imperfect, and both were a little bit of a mess. Yet, they each acted on their faith and are counted righteous because of it. Believing and welcoming. So simple, but so powerful. Both, little things.

What if our ministry is not all that different from theirs?  We are to be faithful in the mundane tasks of daily life. Faithfulness for me is found in praying with a friend, leaping into the world of adoption, walking away from toxic relationships believing God can bring restoration in His timing.  Ministry is choosing love and forgiveness in marriage time and time again and in speaking the Word of God into the lives of my children and praying that it penetrates their hearts.  I fulfill God’s purpose for me when I cuddle a sick kiddo.  And it appears again when I wash a favorite sweater so it can be worn to school.  When I cook a meal that brings nourishment and joy to my family, it is faith in action.  Bedtime stories, prayers, songs, snuggles, and PB&J’s are just as important as any expectation society (or we) can place on our ideals of faithfulness and ministry. My imperfections are many and my flubs are countless, but His grace is sufficient and so are the little things.