The Smaller Things

Vol. 17 No. 08 | February 24, 2014

Every morning, as I am making coffee or just before I leave the house, I take my daily regimen of vitamins and meds. I take them from the container, place them in my hand, and reach for a bottle of water. On a fairly regular basis as I move my hand toward my mouth one of the pills escapes through a crease in my hand and falls to the floor. It is the smallest pill in my hand. It is also the one I most need. It is an allergy pill. If I fail to take it I will suffer far greater consequences than if I failed to take all the others. If you have allergies, you know what I mean.

Looking at the hand full of large pills and the one small pill laying on the floor I am reminded of how much of life happens the same way. The big things, the loud things, the powerful things, and the impressive things grab the attention. The lesser things, many times the more important things, get neglected, or fall through the creases of our lives.

We see it as parents. Baseball practice, cheerleader tryouts, music lessons, and homework get the attention while quiet walks and talks with our children get neglected. Chores and responsibilities get the attention while hugs and prayer time, sharing our faith, and listening to our children’s hearts get neglected.

We see it in our marriages. Bills must be paid. Houses must be maintained. Automobiles must be kept in good running condition. Hours in the office cannot be reduced. Good open communication is ignored. Heart to heart talks are rushed. Quiet evenings at home are considered as extra. Marriage enrichment opportunities are viewed as luxury items.

We see it in our churches. Buildings must be maintained. Utilities must be paid. Property must be managed. Lawns must be mowed. Real and genuine fellowship of believers may be viewed as unnecessary. Children may be overlooked. Marriages may struggle. The lonely may remain alone. The hungry may go unfed. The weak may need help.

The big things get the attention and the energy while the “lesser” things go wanting. The smaller, more important pill may fall through the crease in your had. Remember to pay attention to the smaller things.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”(Matthew 23:22-24, NIV)

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.