Little Things Mean A Lot

Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Matthew 25:21

I will never forget an early motherhood moment centered on our small kitchen table. I had been home full-time about a year after ending an almost-ten-year teaching career to be home to raise our baby. My husband, Mark, who is also a schoolteacher and coach, agreed with me on this big step of faith.

That particular summer day, I was attempting to add some color and cheer to our kitchen table. I couldn’t buy anything, so I needed to be creative. I put out a fresh set of placemats, picked some dandelions from the yard, and placed them in a small vase at the center of the table. When the task was done, I got busy with something else. Then three-year-old Kali came into the kitchen, walked by the table, patted it with her sweet little hand, and said, “Pretty, Mommy. Pretty, Mommy.” My heart swelled and tears came to my eyes as I breathed a quick “Thank You, Lord” for her precious affirmation that I had done well by adding His touch to our table.

Words of encouragement are so powerful. Anytime we look beyond our own interests and take an interest in others (Philippians 2:4), God is pleased! Our efforts reveal His Spirit at work inside of us.

When my young child said, “Pretty, Mommy,” I heard God’s voice echo in my mind, Well done! Well done! I sensed His pleasure. Even though He was the only One who witnessed that moment, I felt His encouragement.

Soak in His words today, and act on the things that God stirs in your heart to do, no matter how big or small they are. Experience the joy that comes from responding to His prompting.