Big and Small

Are you thankful in ALL things or just the big things? I spend some time this week speaking with a women I mentored 5 years ago. She is on a great path, very stable, and enjoys life every day. She called just to let me know she was doing really well. Yes, that made me smile. =)

During our discussion I asked her if she was able to sum up the big steps which led to her success and/or helped her turn a corner. She replied “It was actually the small things, which I thought were big things, at the time.” She first recalled that the staff at the shelter always hugged her. The second thing that really made an impression on her were the donations that would come in. She found it so hard to believe that people gave away their things so others could have things. “But,” she told me “it wasn’t about the things donated, it was the act of giving your things to a stranger for THEM to enjoy.” It was a brand new concept to her.

I encourage you to give to others what you can. We often think we don’t have anything to offer another person because we only think about money or items. But… if you have at least one arm then you are able to give a hug. If you have at least one ear that hears then you can listen to someone who’s hurting. If you have spare time, even 2 hours a week, you can volunteer to help a charity that can’t afford to hire staff but needs the help.

Be sure to be thankful in ALL things, big and small. And don’t underestimate what YOU have to offer.

Psalm 100:4 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.