Small Things

There have been waves of really hard things recently for people dear to me. Grief and loss. Pain and betrayal. Poignant life transitions and bittersweet anniversaries. There have been waves of really hard things for global communities like Haiti and Afghanistan living with unimaginable suffering and uncertainty.

I often feel incredibly small in comparison to the big hurts in our world, immobilized by the weight of it all.

In God’s kindness, the Spirit reminds me in those moments what God can do with small things. A kid’s lunchable. A widow’s two coins. Zacchaeus.

When I’m overwhelmed by the magnitude of hurt, I often think of this Henri quote,

“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.”

Henri Nouwen

So, when the world feels overwhelming and we feel paralyzed by the enormity of it all, let’s sow the little bits of love we can. A smile or kind remark; a generous tip or a returned shopping cart; a note of thanks or a needed apology on our part. Each is an act of defiance against the evil in the world and in us.

I know it seems quite small. But, then again, we know what God can do with small things.