- SMALL THINGS
- By Geni J. White, RN, MS
Recently, as I left a store, I picked up a nickel on the sidewalk. A near-by man said, “That’s worth stooping for. I don’t bother with pennies.”
“I do,” I said. Little things are important.
The inscription on pennies says ‘In God We Trust.’ I framed a collection of pennies I found on daily walks during several months of especially stressful life. Each new find reminded me God loved me.
My husband and I drop extra pennies into a large mug. One friend dislikes pennies and refuses them from store clerks. I offered to take the money my friend turns down and he chuckled at my penny-pinching attitude.
Our penny mug yields about sixteen dollars every few years. My husband and I eat at our favorite restaurant for that amount, Our Big Date of the Week.
What does God think about small things? Psalm 139:4 (NKJV) says ‘For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether’. God knows when we say something as simple as ‘thank-you’, or ‘hello’. Our one word can bless someone.
Children appreciate small things, like tiny flowers adults may not notice. They enjoy skipping across a room. They smile or hug a puppy. They giggle. Small moments but they enrich our lives.
Ignoring little things can cause big problems. God’s prophet, Solomon said, ‘The little foxes (small things) spoil the vines.’ Nearly invisible pests can destroy a farmer’s crop and reduce income. One little fox in a henhouse wreaks havoc on an entire flock.
I once read about airline crash investigations. Often no major problem caused a plane to fail. Sometimes in hospital work several little events create an emergency and endanger a patient.
I’ve asked God to hugely bless a friend and then learned of the lesson He’d taught. I’ve gripped to Him, “That’s such a small thing.” I eventually realized little lessons change lives.
One morning, over fifty years ago, when I left the hospital surgical unit, an oncoming nurse passed me and said, ‘This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice. Be glad in it.” God spoke to me that day. Many people have experienced similar incidents.
Small things around the home save time. Immediately wipe up spills on the stove, counter top, in the fridge or microwave. Then cleaning is easier. Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher during meal prep and throw wrappers and cans into the trash. Replace cooking ingredients into the cupboard right after use. Only takes a few seconds and countertops aren’t littered with stuff to clean up later.
Fix tiny rips in garments so clothes last longer. That saves money. Replace at once an escaped button from a shirt or other clothing.
We can feel good when we practice important little things.
