Its the little things

Was really inspired this morning when I opened my Facebook page to see this

Lots of special things going on here.  A lady in distress not having enough money for the meter.  Some kind anonymous soul giving her what she needed in the moment.  And that leading to a critical happening in her life.   Im sure the man with the 20p had no idea.   And he probably will never get to see her thank you.  But like the one leper who was healed she wanted to say thanks anyway.   Isn't that just a lovely story?

Sometimes it is the smallest most insignificant ( to us) things which can have the biggest impact.   A friend of mine was homeless for a while when he was a teenager.  I was asking him about what it was like being on the streets and what was the most helpful thing anyone did for him.   He said that sometimes people gave him food which was nice, but the thing he appreciated most was when someone stopped to talk to him.   Because being on the street is an incredibly lonely and isolating experience.    I'd never thought about that before.   I will quite often throw some money into a pot if someone is sitting in a doorway begging - but Ive never really considered stopping to spend the time of day with that person.  Im sure many elderly people would say the same -  I'd rather have half an hour of your time than your money,   And we can all spare half an hour every now and again cant we?

The story of the good samaritan - we are all SO familiar with it we could recite it in our sleep.  But it's not only the grand gestures God is asking of us.  Loving our neighbour as ourselves means putting yourself in someone elses shoes and doing what you would want someone to do for you.   Do you

walk past the person struggling with the buggy the toddler and the five bags of shopping?  Or do you offer to give them a hand?    I was on the ferry to England last year and there was a woman on her own with very tiny twin babies.  She was in the cafe trying to get her lunch whilst also trying to rock the babies to sleep.   I watched her for a while and remembered how exhausting it was to have two small children and then I went up to her and asked if I could take the babies for a stroll round the boat so she could have her lunch in peace.   She looked a bit surprised but very thankful.  Obviously on a ferry in the middle of the Irish sea I wasnt about to disappear with her babies.!!   So off I went for a walk round with a double buggy and she sat and had an uniterrupted lunch in peace and quiet.   Afterwards we got talking and it broke up the monotony of the journey,  Nothing profound.  Just what I would have liked someone to have done for me back in the day.

Every day we walk past a hundred people in the street.  We go into shops, the canteen, the bank, the garage.  Every person we meet is an opportunity to bless and be a blessing.  Even just a smile can make a difference to someone's day.   Those checkout people sitting day after day beeping through your shopping.   When was the last time you looked at their name badge and said '  Hi John, How are you today?'   Or told the cafe manager that their staff were doing a great job.   Or even better asked God if He had anything to say  to the girl behind the counter?     A friend of mine went into a bank one day to pay in a cheque.  When she looked at the lady teller she suddenly 'saw' the name of a person written in the air above her head.  My friend was so shocked that she finished her transaction and left the bank in a flap wondering what on earth was going on.   After a few minutes of reflection she realised the God was showing her something for that lady and that she should go back and speak to her.  So she did.   She just went up to her and said '  I know this might sound crazy but when I looked at you I saw the name X - does that mean anything to you?'   The woman immediately burst into tears and proceeded to tell a story of a recently broken relationship.  My friend was able to talk to her and tell her that God knew all about it, that He cared and wanted to be involved.  She then prayed for the lady.    You just never know what might happen if you are open to God in the small things  

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you are concerned with every last little thing in our lives.  From the parking meter to the relationships.  You know and You care.    As I ponder the truth of Christmas, that You came to earth to make Your dwelling with me,.... IN me, help me to see the needs You see, be kind and generous as You are, be as thoughtful and caring as You .  Help me to be a blessing to everyone everywhere.  Kick me when I am selfish and lazy.  Direct my steps and let me do the things you are doing.   Amen