As I was reflecting on what to share this week, I saw this Facebook post from a friend that I think is an excellent reminder for us all.
“Sometimes we forget about all the little things we could do to brighten someone’s day… to show love to others without expecting anything in return. I was the receiver of these beautiful flowers from a dear friend yesterday!”
Didn’t Jesus tell us the importance of the little things in life, sharing God’s love with everyone without expecting anything in return?
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. –Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)
Jesus teaches us how God even cares for the littlest of creation, the sparrows. They are not worth much in this world, but God still loves them because He created them. In this world, the number of hairs on your head is something little and not worthy of our attention, but Jesus uses the example to show us how much God cares for us. We are all valuable in God’s kingdom.
Can you think of a time when someone did something little that made your day much brighter?
Did someone…
…bring you flowers to show that you are loved?
…send you an encouraging text?
…hold the door open for you when you had your hands full?
…sincerely wish you a special day?
…bring you coffee or a treat?
…invite you to dine with them?
…you didn’t know start to talk to you when you felt all alone?
How did something little make you feel?
Maybe…
…loved?
…joyful?
…special?
…important?
…valued?
My daughter surprised me recently by leaving a little treasure on my porch. I did not find it randomly like she was hoping because her joy couldn’t be contained any longer. Nonetheless, I could not help but beam from ear to ear thinking of her planning this surprise, which is out of character for her.
A heart stone my daughter left for me
I recall one day I was sharing with a friend what their reflection meant to me personally. The friend picked up on something and sent me a few encouraging prayers. It was something little yet, had a profound impact that breathed life into my spirit.
Photo courtesy of Fred Miller under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Can you think of times when you reached out to do something little for someone else to brighten their day and share love, not expecting anything in return?
Was it something from the list above or something else?
Isn’t it fun to do little things to brighten someone’s day? We never know when the smallest of things will become the greatest blessing in another person’s life.
I have often found the ripple effect of God’s goodness when I step out to do something little for someone. One time I went out of my way to deliver something special–a surprise–to a friend. When I was driving home, I saw a CVS tractor trailer that has a big red heart in the middle of the cab! God made me smile with His perfect timing and goodness, seeing that I just shared His love.
Often I see the ripple effect of sending a little, simple text reminder of God’s love and mine or encouragement to others. It often leads to more of His orchestrations. In one case, it led the person to share they were feeling a bit down as there was a remembrance service that day for their loved one who died this past year. It inspired me to attend to show my love and support for their family, though I had never met their loved one. After lighting a candle in their memory, the person stopped to thank me for being there, taking my hand in gratitude. I felt the Spirit’s presence in that encounter, knowing it was another God moment. My friend later shared, “Seeing your face and holding your hand was beautiful and comforting.”
Life is made up of little moments: little moments that we can use to brighten other people’s days and to show God’s love, without expecting anything in return.
Be encouraged this week to…
…share little things to brighten other people’s days.
…appreciate the little things others do to brighten your day.
…show God’s love without expecting anything in return.
Take the little you have and let God do something great with it!
Would you please be so kind as to share in the comment section below something little that someone did to brighten your day or something you recall doing that impacted another’s life greatly? Thank you in advance.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” –Luke 16:10 (NIV)
