The little things

Like a time elapsed photo of the seasons changing in rapid succession, with a broad stroke change happens quickly, and at closer glande, it happens slowly.  Slowly like the deliberare slimy slither of a snail. Yet, in the blink of an eye.  Whether weight gain, compromise or the accumulation of things, it happens not in a big chunk, but little by little.  Eventually the small things do add up, don't they?  

Transformation in reverse is deterioration.  And the little decisions that are made with the bat of an eye and then repeated can make a big impact over time - whether that's jogging or eating a late night snack.  Each one, when repeated, leads to a certain end result.  And I can tell you for a fact what late night snacking leads too!

Not even 2 months ago we landed in the U.S. with 6 suitcases.  If we packed our bags today, I promise that we would have atleast 15 suitcases.  How. Did. This. Happen?  One thing at a time.  Plus 15 pounds - how did this happen? One cheeto, coke, unhealthy snack, at a time.  "We were just going to kiss, but then before I knew it we were . . . " How did this happen? One compromised boundary at a time.

Is it possible to be true in the big things and falter so crazily in the little things?  I would like to say yes because that would make me feel better AND because I am optimistic about God's redemptive story.  However, I get things backwards. A. LOT.  Sometimes I wonder: if I get them backwards, am I getting them at all? Can I love God but trash His temple?  Can I say I trust His sovereign plan but then lay awake fraught with worry?  Can I put people first but hoard my earthly treasures?

Luke 16:10

“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.

I have long been a believer that the little things make a BIG difference.  Whether that is in decorating, offering a word of encouragement, making someone's coffee, etc.  Recently, I realized that in the really important areas of my life, I stink at the little things.  It's true, I really, really do.  I would like to change that.

God has a history for caring for the little things: sparrows  (Luke 12:6), hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30), the mite of a widow (Mark 12:42-44).  I have a history of giving lip service to the little things but not truly caring. The good news is, since I have been adoped by Him, since I have been redeemed by Him, since I can have victory by the power of His spirit, when I pursue Him I can become about what He is about.  And He is about the little things.  I take heart in knowing that He is transforming me - one little thing at a time.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.