Small Things and Small Words

I’m currently doing a bible study called, Church of the Small Things, which couldn’t have been more God designed. He knew what He was doing. It wasn’t a fluke that “we” chose that bible study and were placed under a nationally mandated quarantine. He didn’t just want us to understand life is full of small things and mundane tasks, He wanted us to live it. And while I have lived it for the past two weeks, He has sprinkled little nuggets of truth into my life.

Life is made up of small, menial, mundane moments that build upon each other. It’s not made up of grand gestures or over-the-top activities. It’s made up of afternoons spent blowing bubbles, splashing in mud, and playing with sidewalk chalk. Those are the moments that make sweet, childhood memories. I have struggled with the intense need to have an “event” to fill all of our downtimes, especially in the summer. Whether it’s to the swimming pool, the museum, a playdate with friends, a picnic, or an afternoon at the park, I feel the need to be this extravagant social coordinator/event planner for my kids. Kids, who, after this quarantine, I’ve truly realized are completely content to stay at home and play with their toys. We are called to be content with where God has us … even if it is trapped in your house with your people during a quarantine that doesn’t seem to have a shelf-life.

Nobody sees your grind. Your late nights and early mornings are just that … late nights and early mornings. Your kids don’t realize that dishwasher you just unloaded for the tenth time today was for them or that mound of laundry you just folded was for them too. Nobody sees that you’ve spent your entire spring “break” working. Preparing for a new normal. Filming lessons when your house is silent, re-filming those lessons because it wasn’t quite perfect … there was so much more you could have added. And coming from a girl that craves words of affirmation, it pains me to say, that is completely ok! We are called to work diligently and serve with humble hearts. We don’t pray on the street corners so that we get praise. We don’t work hard so that someone will pat us on the back and say good job. One day it will be glorious to hear the words, “Good Job, my good and faithful servant,” but that’s a heavenly message. It’s completely ok if your earthly praise is merely praising you for burning the bacon … twice … in one day … because after all that takes true skills.

Life isn’t just made up of small moments, it’s made up of small words. The simple hellos, the out of the ordinary compliments are what can make a day. Those encounters with strangers and friends are something that I have realized I truly miss. While there are famous monologues throughout history that we have built our expectations or morals on and we can all recite by heart, life is honestly made up of small words. It’s the small words that can make or break a deal and make or break a day. It’s the last dig that always cuts like a knife. It’s that last text or email that frankly doesn’t need to be sent … even if you desperately need to prove a point. More than likely you don’t … the point doesn’t need to be proven. Negative words never win; yet, they leave a lasting impact. Every time I lash out, my words are deeply felt and become words that will rarely yield the results that I want. We are called to have our conversations full of grace, seasoned with salt so that we have the wisdom to know how to answer everyone in every situation. Be content, Let your words be small, yet powerful and full of grace.