Stumbling along with my dog in the awakening morning light, I saw them. Three small things. . .three little stones on the frozen sidewalk. Something had dislodged them from their landscaping bed. Perhaps another human-dog duo out on their constitution. Before I brushed the stones back off the sidewalk, I let myself ponder their significance.
So often I zip through my days paying no attention to random objects like small landscaping stones. Sometimes I doubt I even notice the sidewalk. But somehow I think 2019 is already starting off with a greater respect for seeing the small things that no one else notices.
Little Things to Work With
Author John Duckworth noted that Jesus often selected the small things to teach big life lessons. A young boy’s fish and loaves. The widow’s meager coin. Mary Magdalene’s tears on his feet. Maybe God wants us to open our eyes too to the small things that he can transform into the matters of bigger importance. “That’s good news for those of us who have only little things to work with. Like a cup of water. Or a chicken,” writes Duckworth. “Or a word or deed so tiny it can’t even be remembered—except by the recipient, who may never, ever forget.”
So what small things have plopped into your day today? A funny text from a friend. An “I love you” note from your child. The hearty wave from your neighbor. Another driver yielding to you. Your spouse picking up your take-out favorites. Your pet snuggling extra close.
Small Things, Little Gestures
Designer and author David Cuschieri adds more perspective to seeing the little things with his words,“Never underestimate the power of a simple smile, a kind word or the acknowledgement of another. Little gestures can move mountains.”
Little gestures can be as simple as:
• Complimenting someone on a job well done
• Shoveling your neighbor’s sidewalk
• Buying a few groceries for a sick friend
• Picking up your pet’s doo on your walks
• Letting a stranger take the better seats
• Holding your tongue when you’d rather lash out
• Helping a child make a card for his teacher
Seeing the small things can then inspire doing small things. Without being asked. No need to be noticed. Without caring if you’re thanked.
Author and speaker Israelmore Ayivor describes how things tiny things move us forward, and I add, upward. “No step forward is too small,” he writes. “Just be sure it’s taking you to the right dream, then take more of those tiny steps.”
Tiny steps. Little gestures. Mini moments. Watch out world, we’re on the lookout for seeing the small things that no one else notices. And doing the small things without being asked.
Excerpt from John Duckworth, Just for a Moment I Saw the Light, p. 217-218; Victor Books, 1994.
Excerpt from Israelmore Ayivor,Let’s Go to the Next Level, CreateSpace, 2017.
Very Dear Friend, Beth,
Having discovered this in the early hours of my new day…well, this “Small Things” blog entry struck me as no small thing. I was reminded of when, in the mudslide of my Casey’s decline, his daughter-in-law, Lori, stopped her Casey to point out a cardinal–a small thing with a big red “WOW!” factor against a backdrop of both a bleak winter & personal landscape. For me, a day or two later, it was a hawk flying over a marsh. Even though, colorwise, that was bleak-on-bleak, it still bore a His-mercies-are-new-every-day kind of “WOW!” factor on its winged flight…And you, dear one, in your grand observation of “small things,” brought yet another “WOW!” to my bleak heart! ♡ Love you for that…and for you ! ~Jan(i)e :-{}
Janie, I’m not sure I can type this well with all the tears in my eyes. Thank for your sharing your examples of “small things” that really do make a big, rippling effect in our minds, hearts and souls. I love how God uses small things in Nature (like the cardinal and hawk) to nudge us gently and remind me of His presence and His provision—just like He continues to do with Casey and you. Both Casey and you continue to be in my fervent prayers for healing, for peace, for comfort. For resting in the arms of your BIG-hearted Father. Love, love!
Good reminders, Beth. I know John Duckworth and his wife, Liz! Like his quotes.
That is great that you know John and Liz, Nancy. I’ve had an excerpt from this book of his in my computer files for years.
My Dad always told us kids to make sure to “stop and smell the roses”. Never smelled many actual roses but we got the point. Great reminder Beth.
Nancy, you know your dad is a wise man. Slowing down, stopping to notice and smell the roses is always sound advice. I’ll be thinking of Uncle John when my roses bloom this spring and summer. (And I make a point of lingering over their incredible scent.)