Little is Big

We are all challenged to think about our lives and what we are choosing to do with them.  Too often the decisions we face become overwhelming.  They can look big, loom so large that we can become paralyzed.  Thinking down the road too often means we miss today and what is right in front of us.

Kenton Lee has a working definition of practical compassion that I love, saying it isn’t doing big things, but doing small things that can have a big impact.  What he is saying is as important as doing big things is, the simple, small, every day are what make big things possible.

The story of the feeding of the five thousand didn’t start with a large smorgasbord, but rather a couple loaves of bread and a few fish.  The healing of the paralytic was made possible because four friends decided a large crowd wouldn’t stop them, and they dug a hole in a roof.  Peter walked on the water because, well, he stepped out of the boat.  It’s because Jesus was approached by a little boy, a man who couldn’t walk had good friends, and Peter knew how to walk that we have three amazing stories.  The little thing, making the big thing, possible.

It’s something I want you to think about today.  In the midst of the Harvey Weinstein’s of the world, of which there are too many:

The way men treat women, matters.

Holding the door open, matters.

Turning the lights off in your room when you leave, matters.

Having a conversation with someone who doesn’t look like you, matters.

Buying them a cup of coffee, matters.

Drinking from a Nalgene bottle instead of a plastic one, matters.

Saying thank you, matters.

Not looking at porn, matters.

Going on an MIA trip, matters.

Taking only what you will eat from the lunch line, matters.

Looking someone in the eyes saying hi when you walk by them on campus, matters.

Turning off your A/C when it’s 15 degrees outside, matters.

Hugging a Washington Nationals fan today, matters.

Offering grace to someone who doesn’t think like you, matters.

Asking good questions, matters.

Exchanging names, matters.

A good laugh with a friend, matters.

A good cry with a friend, matters.

A good laugh with a stranger, matters.

Was there anything you or I couldn’t do on this list?  Never underestimate your ability to make someone’s day; the rippling affects your decisions have on those around you; the ways you can influence others as they watch what you do - the little things:  every minute, every day, every week as we do life together.  The truth is, there is no little things.  Little is big. 

Matthew 9:1-8; Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 14:22-33