A Million Little Things
By Mary “Grandma” Rogers:
“Thou hast multiplied, O Lord my God, thy wondrous deeds and thy thoughts toward us; none can compare with thee! Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5 RSV
Life is not lived as one big deed, it is made up of a million little things. We live our lives doing all the hundreds of little things that make up each day. Today — a hundred, tomorrow — a hundred, maybe. Eventually, it all adds up to a million little things, and maybe even more.
God directs His love and kindness towards us in somewhat the same way–by doing a million little things for us. Our scripture for today tells us that no one can compare with God and all the wondrous deeds He does for us. His thoughts are always on us. Our scripture also says that God’s loving thoughts and deeds are so many, we could never number — or count — them. And to think He continues to love us and perform kind and loving deeds for us even past a million times; He never stops. He loves us and He wants to help us,and do all manner of kind acts for us. Isn’t it wonderful to think about this? We have someone who cares for us and will never stop showing His love towards us.
As our life progresses, we may find that we’ll never paint a famous picture, or write a best-seller. There may not be fame in our future. We may never do anything big; but that doesn’t matter. Perhaps this sort of thing is reserved only for a very few, and that leaves thousands of us to live our lives performing small tasks and jobs and doing small kindnesses for each other. This is LIFE for us, and it’s a good life We do not need to be famous to love a child; we do not need to be famous to help a neighbor; we do not need fame to help us sing a song, or cook a meal, or mow a yard, or go on a picnic on a summer day, or take a walk on a crisp autumn day. Yet, these are some of the small things that make up life, and God is in each and every one of them with us, helping us along our way. These are just a few of the kind ways God shows His love for us; these are a very few of the deeds we cannot number, or count.
John Donne once said these words: “I count all that part of my life lost which I spent NOT in communion with God, or in doing good.” Many of us feel that way, I am sure. If what we do can’t be done with God in our minds and hearts, or if it can’t be done for the good of mankind, then it drops into time and is lost; for it is not for God’s glory nor does it help others. It is nothing. But—if God is in everything we do and we are helping others in the process, then everything counts for good, and our deeds become part of the million little things of which a good life is made.
Marriage is a fine example of that which I am speaking. We all know that most of our days are made up of caring for, and thinking about, each other. Yet, they aren’t big deeds or thoughts — most of the time. Rather, they are just small ones. However, over a period of years, they can add up to a million little things, too numerous to count. Yet, we’ve built a marriage — just simply living — raising children, earning our wages, enjoying each other every day, being a person who is always there for someone else. A marriage is made up of a million little deeds and thoughts; and if we ask Him, God will be with us in our marriages — helping us — in every way.
Even though most of our lives will be lived in small ways, there is still one way we can all be great. Let us measure our greatness by how much we are like Jesus. Let us this day, and every day, resolve to pattern what we say and do after His words and deeds. Let us include kindness and love in all the million little things that will make up our day; and most of all, let us remember that all these small acts — too numerous to count – make up one life lived for God.
Let us pray…
Heavenly Father, thank you for the many ways you show your love for us. May we always strive to do the same for others. In Jesus name. Amen.
Tags: Fame, Greatness, Kindness, Life, Little Things
Filed under: Devotionals
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