Small but Big!

I read three devotionals this morning. One talked about being a light- a flicker or one that lights up a room. It talked about how even a small flame is strong enough to brighten a room. The second was about using our God-given gifts no matter how small and being responsible for making the best use of them. The third talked about when “little is much.” It gave the example of the widow who gave two mites. 

     Each of these three devotionals seemed to blend into one thought for me. I first thought of the song taught young children. “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? No!” 

     It only takes a simple, gifted smile to light up a room. Even if it is just a tiny flicker, let it shine! It could be just the thing needed to light up a heart. It may be “little but big” to someone else. It might only take a pie taken to a lonely person to light up their life. It might be a kind word to a disgruntled person which changes his heart. It could be laughter instead of anger that makes the difference. 

     My gifts may be small, but they can become Big!

Do Likewise!

One of the first verses I learned in my Christian walk was Luke 6:31, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” 

 

Today, I want to do likewise and be wise- like:

 

If I want a smile, I need to give a smile.

If I want a good neighbor, I need to be a good neighbor.

If I want to be treated nicely, I need to be nice.

If I want forgiveness, I need to be forgiving.

 

I could go on and on, but to end, today I hope to be friendly, share a laugh, a smile, and strive to love others. 

Understanding

 One of my devotionals this morning pointed out a saying I do not remember reading before. "Seek to understand before you seek to be understood."  Actually that is just a good interpretation of Philippians 2:3b-4, "...Value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interest of the others." 
     This reminds me of people who are always grumpy. It is my place to consider what is behind it. Are they a happy soul? Rather than me taking offense, which is my nature to do, I should, instead, consider their need and return to them a happy reply or smile. I may never know what is going on in their lives, but it is my place to be cheerful toward them. 

Laughter

I am reminded with a happy heart of the slogan, “When you laugh, the world laughs with you, but when you cry, you cry alone.” Actually, I like the first part best because I believe in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”  Again in Proverbs 15, I am told, "A merry heart maketh a  cheerful countenance..." I believe God gave us laughter for a reason, and He expects and wants us to laugh. 

     You know, Sarah, who was already in her 90’s, laughed when God said she would have a child. It was a laughter of disbelief over what she heard that she thought was foolishness, and God heard her laughter because He asked, “Why did Sarah laugh?” With the question, I think God smiled!  Again, years later, Sarah laughed after she had born a child when she said, “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.” 

     Laughter is very much a way of projecting joy. I believe it is very good for the soul. It makes the heart merry. It is healthy! Laughter makes a cheerful countenance. The facial features look a whole lot better with a smile rather than a frown. 

     Have you ever just sat alone and projected good-hearted laughter out-loud? Do it! It makes the heart feel good. 

     "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.....(Do a strong belly laugh. Out-Loud and Alone, of course!)

     

     

Watchful

 2 Timothy 4:5 "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

I often am watchful when I pass someone in the grocery aisle or even when  I pay out at the checkout counter.  Do these people look happy?  If not, a smile goes a long way in helping make someone's day.  However, yesterday as I passed a lady in the grocery isle, I smiled and I think she did too.  Yet, did she see me smile?  I saw hers, but it was not through her lips.  It was in her eyes.  You see, we were both wearing masks.  My point is that we can smile in more ways than one.  We show our love through our actions, through our eye contact, and through facial expressions.   Be watchful in body language!