| PENTECOST XVI September 8, 2024 “Small But Mighty” “Enjoy the little things in life. Someday you may look back and realize they were the big things.” I read this little quote a number of years ago, and the spirit of it has stayed with me ever since. We’re so programmed to give attention to the “big” experiences of life — important milestones, accomplishments, going places, doing things. The world tells us that the splashier, more impressive something is the more significance it carries. And yet.. when you take a few moments and let your mind wander quietly, aren’t there “Little things” that bring a smile to your face and a sense of true joy to your heart whenever you recall them? When I was a little girl, I loved to “help” my mother plant her flower garden. She’d prepare the soil, then make furrows with her little triangular hoe, and together we’d carefully drop in the tiny, almost feathery seeds for zinnias, and near the front, we’d place the larger, chunky nasturtium seeds. I was fascinated that the tiny seeds grew into tall, sturdy zinnias and the bigger seeds became small, compact foliage with delicate blossoms. Our Lord put great value on that which was small and simple throughout his ministry on earth. He and his disciples didn’t focus on the big cities of the area, but traveled by foot throughout the countryside, stopping in small villages to preach and teach the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness for all people. They gratefully accepted the plain meals and hospitality of simple homes that were offered by those of modest means. We are familiar with the accounts of Jesus preaching to the huge crowds that followed him, including the feeding of the five thousand, but drawing large numbers wasn’t his goal — it simply came about, and he ministered to them. The power and depth of Jesus’ message reached people as individuals, as they felt he spoke to them personally; that he understood and cared for them individually and uniquely. The significance of understanding the little things is also illustrated in the Gospel of Mark, as Jesus and the disciples were in the temple in Jerusalem following his triumphal entry into the city. “He (Jesus) . . . watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’” (Mark 12:41b-44) Throughout the gospels, the examples of small, common, unimportant things are used time after time. Not only did Jesus relate to people in an unpretentious manner, but he also knew how important it was to speak using everyday terms. He told his listeners not to fear the authorities, for they could not kill their souls — after all, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. . . So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29, 31) As we interact with others, we can’t know what they hear us say or how they interpret what we’re doing, but it matters, it makes a difference, and we’re doing God’s work and his will. Grateful for the little things in life, Your friend in Christ, Mary Rogers His Eye is On the Sparrow https://youtu.be/u3_rduWq2lM?si=KKvCF_32OMyd94Zv This Little Light of Mine https://youtu.be/BIHgeiyXowg?si=9QDAr6OdPWBD5Lpg |
Devotions for Week of September 8, 2024
2024-09-12