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I received two cards last week, from families in the congregation,
on two separate days. One card was to me personally, and the other
card was to our family. Some members of our congregation also took
meals to families who were very ill. And, I'm sure other members
were kind and benevolent in ways that haven't come to my attention.
When I received the cards, a few thoughts immediately came to mind:
someone thought enough of me to buy a card, write in it, and mail
it. When I opened the cards and read the messages, my spirits were
immediately lifted. It reminded me that little things aren't
so little.
A little thing can make a big impact
Sometimes we think we have to do something big, to make a difference
in someone's life. But this isn't true. Sometimes, the smallest
things make the biggest impact.
I remember my grandmother telling me about one of the most important
things that happened to her, after her husband passed away and she
lived alone. A young lady from church called her for a few minutes,
almost every day. Some days, this was one of the most significant
events in her life. It "broke up the day," she told me. And it kept
her from getting so lonely.
The little things at judgment
When Jesus comes in judgment, He's going to separate the godly and
ungodly, "as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and
He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left" (Matt.
25:32-33).
The ones who inherit eternal life, are Christians who have done
the little things for their brethren (Matt. 25:34-40):
- fed hungry brethren.
- given drink to thirsty brethren.
- been hospitable to brethren who were traveling.
- clothed brethren who were without clothes.
- visited sick brethren.
- visited imprisoned brethren.
You can test yourself to see if you are in the faith, by whether
you're doing the little things for your brethren (2 Cor. 13:5).
- Is your faith working through love (Gal. 5:6)?
- Are you visiting distressed brethren, and attending to their
needs (Jas. 1:27; 2:14-17)?
- Are you laying down your life for your brethren (1 Jn. 3:16-19)?
- If you are serving your brethren, even in the little things,
you are of the truth, and know you have eternal life (1 Jn. 3:18-19).
Don't forget, when you do a little thing for someone, you
lift their spirits and help them more than you probably
know. And more importantly, your Father in heaven looks
down upon you and is well pleased -- little things aren't
so little.
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